Endoscope system using normal light and fluorescence

ABSTRACT

In the light source unit  3 A, a switching filter section  14,  which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp  12 , where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope  2 A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter  27  in front of the CCD  28  so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit  38 , where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor  5  in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.

This application claims benefit of Japanese Application Nos. 2001-146755filed on May 16, 2001, 2001-323936 filed on Oct. 22, 2001 and2001-323937 filed on Oct. 22, 2001 the contents of which areincorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope system using normal lightand fluorescence for obtaining normal reflected light images andfluorescent images.

2. Description of the Related Art

Endoscopes are widely used today in the medical field and the industrialfield. Particularly in the medical field, a technology to obtain imageswhich make it easier to identify normal tissue and abnormal tissue hasbeen proposed, in addition to an endoscope system for obtainingnormal-light images using conventional white light.

For example, as a first prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2001-137174 discloses a system for generating display signals mainlyby reflecting the relative intensity of fluorescence to the color, andthe intensity of a reference light to the luminance.

As a second prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.2000-270265 discloses a system for overlaying fluorescent images andbackground images.

As a third prior art, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-37650 disclosesa system for detecting an abnormal section of the respiratory metabolismof a human body using fluorescent images and reference images byreference light.

As a fourth prior art, Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 10-309282discloses a system for irradiating excitation light and obtaining imageswhich make it easier to identify normal tissue and abnormal tissue bytwo fluorescent images with different wavelength bands and reflectedimages by excitation light.

In addition to these, the following are also prior art.

-   (a) U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,190

This patent discloses a system for creating fluorescent images andnon-fluorescent images. Excitation light (400 to 450 nm) andillumination light (including 700 nm) are sequentially irradiatedendoscopically, and fluorescent and reflected light generated frombiological tissue are received by an image pickup device. These signalsare displayed on a monitor such that pathologically affected tissue andnormal tissue can be distinguished.

Or, the irradiation time of the above mentioned excitation light is setto longer than that of non-excitation light (illumination light). Bybuilding a CCD into the tip of the endoscope and by integrating thepixels of the CCD when fluorescent images are captured (when excitationlight is irradiated), brightness (S/N) is improved.

-   (b) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-151104

This patent discloses a system for sequentially displayingconventional-light images and fluorescent (infrared) images. A rotaryfilter for conventional-light images and a rotary filter for fluorescentimages are arranged concentrically, and the rotary filters movedepending on the mode (FIG. 12 to FIG. 17 of this gazette).

Also an optical aperture for transmitting the infrared light isinstalled at the tip of the endoscope, so in fluorescent mode,brightness can be improved since more infrared light transmits. Withvisible light, the opening (see FIG. 6 of this gazette) is restricted bythe optical aperture, so ability of distinction becomes high.

-   (c) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-201707

This patent discloses a system for sequentially displaying normal-lightimages and fluorescent images. It is disclosed that the filter whichtransmits the visible light and the filter which transmits the infraredlight are selected by switching the mode (normal-light images andfluorescent images) for the rotary filters red and infrared, G and B,installed at the light source (FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 of this gazette).

In the first prior art, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from anormal tissue differs depending on the patient, so the color tone of anormal tissue differs depending on the patient, and the identificationof pathologically affected tissue and normal tissue may be difficult insome cases.

In the second prior art, reflected light has a wide band, so thefunction to obtain images, which make it easier to identify normaltissue and pathologically affected tissue, drops.

In the third prior art, a regression line to the target tissue isderived using the fluorescent images and reference images, but only thewavelengths of the reference images are matched with the wavelengths ofthe fluorescent images, so the identification function between thenormal tissue and pathologically affected tissue may not be sufficientlyperformed.

The fourth prior art has a complicated configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope systemwhich can obtain images for easily identifying normal tissue andpathologically affected tissue with a simple configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscopesystem which allows observing both normal-light images and fluorescentimages.

The present invention is an endoscope system comprising a light sourcefor illuminating illumination light having two different wavelengthbands and excitation light for exciting fluorescence; image capturingmeans for capturing two reflected light images by reflected light whenthe illumination light is irradiated onto a biological tissue and isreflected, and a fluorescent image by fluorescence excited by theexcitation light; image processing means for processing the tworeflected light images and a fluorescent image and a creating processedimage; and display means for displaying the processed images, whereinwhen the processed images are distributed on spatial coordinates wherethree axes are the intensities of two different reflected lights and thefluorescence from the biological tissue, the wavelengths of thereflected lights and the fluorescence are selected such that the normaltissue and the pathologically affected tissue are separated on the threeaxes on the spatial coordinates, and the above mentioned imageprocessing means further comprises means of inputting three signals ofthe fluorescent image and the two reflected light images, and axialconversion means for operating the signals and converting them intosignals comprised of three color components so that luminance and/or huediffer between a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue, andimages of the pathologically affected tissue enter within a specificrange of hue, so as to obtain images which make it easier to identifythe normal tissue and the pathologically affected tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 to FIG. 15 are drawings related to the first embodiment, whereinFIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a general configuration of theendoscope system of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a configuration of a switching filterwhere a filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescentobservation are installed;

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are diagrams depicting the transmissioncharacteristic of the filter for normal-light observation, filter forfluorescent observation, and excitation light cut filter;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessing circuit;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams depicting intensity distributioncharacteristic examples with respect to the wavelength of fluorescentimages and reflected light images for biological tissue;

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the distribution of the normal sectionsand pathologically affected sections which are plotted on spatialcoordinates, where three axes are the fluorescence intensity and the tworeflected light intensities;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the change of ability of distinction withrespect to the central wavelength of the second reflected light when thewavelength of the first reflected light is assumed to be a parameter;

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting the change of ability of distinction withrespect to the central wavelength of the second reflected light when thewavelength width of the first reflected light is assumed to be aparameter;

FIG. 9 is a chromaticity diagram depicting the distribution of thenormal sections and the pathologically affected sections when the matrixelement is set as the formula 2;

FIG. 10 is a chromaticity diagram depicting the distribution of thenormal sections and the pathologically affected sections when the matrixelement is set as the formula 3;

FIG. 11 is a chromaticity diagram depicting the distribution of thenormal sections and the pathologically affected sections when the matrixelement is set as the formula 4;

FIG. 12 is a chromaticity diagram depicting the distribution of thenormal sections and the pathologically affected sections when the matrixelement is set as the formula 5;

FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting the operation area by the imageprocessing circuit;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessing circuit in the first variant form;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessing circuit in the second variant form;

FIG. 16 is a diagram depicting the transmission characteristic of theexcitation light cut filter in the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are diagrams related to the third embodiment, whereFIG. 17 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessing circuit according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 18 is adiagram depicting the input/output characteristic of the enhancementconversion table;

FIG. 19 to FIG. 25 are diagrams related to the fourth embodiment, whereFIG. 19 is a block diagram depicting a general configuration of theendoscope system of the third embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram depicting the image processor;

FIG. 21 is a diagram depicting a display example of the fluorescentimage on a monitor;

FIG. 22 is a diagram depicting the screen to input and set theparameters of the matrix circuit;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessor in the first variant form;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessor in the second variant form;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of the imageprocessor in the third variant form;

FIG. 26 to FIG. 37 are diagrams related to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention, where FIG. 26 is a block diagram depicting ageneration configuration of the endoscope system of the fifthembodiment;

FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B are diagrams depicting a configuration of the twoswitching filters installed on the light source unit;

FIG. 28A to FIG. 28D are diagrams depicting the transmissioncharacteristic with respect to the wavelength of the RGB filter and thefilters for fluorescent observation;

FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B are diagrams depicting the transmissioncharacteristic with respect to the wavelength of the second and thirdfilters;

FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B are diagrams depicting the light intensitycharacteristic of light to be received by the respective CCD when awhite subject is observed in normal-light observation mode, and whenskin is observed in fluorescent observation mode;

FIG. 31 is a diagram depicting the light intensity characteristic withrespect to the wavelength when the filter is changed and the image ofskin is captured by a CCD for fluorescent observation in the fluorescentobservation mode;

FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B are diagrams depicting the transmissioncharacteristic of the excitation light cut filter of a variant form, andthe light intensity characteristic when the image of skin is captured bya CCD for fluorescent observation using this excitation light cut filterin fluorescent observation mode;

FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B are diagrams depicting the light intensitycharacteristic of light to be received by a CCD when a white subject isobserved in the normal-light observation mode, and when skin is observedin the fluorescent mode using the first scope;

FIG. 34A and FIG. 34B are diagrams depicting an image display example ona monitor, and the content of the mode to be displayed;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram depicting a general configuration of theendoscope system of the first variant form of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B are diagrams depicting respectively aconfiguration of the switching filter and the transmissioncharacteristic thereof; and

FIG. 37 is a block diagram depicting a general configuration of theendoscope system of the second variant form of the fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment)

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 15.

The endoscope system 1A, which has a normal-light observation mode and afluorescent observation mode according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1, comprises an electronic endoscope 2Awhich is inserted into a body cavity for observation, a light sourceunit 3A for emitting a light for normal-light observation and a lightfor excitation, a processor 4A for executing signal processing to createnormal-light observation images and fluorescent images, and a monitor 5for displaying images by normal light and images by fluorescence.

The electronic endoscope 2A has an elongated insertion section 7 whichis inserted into a body cavity, and has illumination means and imagecapturing means which are enclosed in a tip 8 of the insertion section7.

In the insertion section 7, a light guide fiber 9, for transmitting(guiding) excitation light and illumination light for normal-lightobservation, is inserted, and a connector 10 for the light source, whichis installed at the incident end at the operator side of the light guidefiber 9, is removably connected to the light source unit 3A.

The light source unit 3A further comprises a lamp 12, which is driven toemit light by a lamp drive circuit 11, emits light including bands frominfrared wavelength bands to visible light bands, a light sourceaperture 13 which is installed on the illumination light path by thelamp 12 and limits the light quantity from the lamp 12, a switchingfilter section 14 which is installed on the illumination light path, anda condenser lens 15 for condensing lights which pass through thisswitching filter section 14.

This switching filter section 14 further comprises a switching filter 17which is rotated by a motor for rotation 16 and switching the filters tobe placed on the optical path using a motor for moving 20, and the motorfor moving 20 which moves the motor for rotation 16 and the switchingfilter 17 to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by rotating apinion 19 which screws into a rack 18 on the motor for rotation 16.

In the switching filter 17, an RGB filter for normal-light observation21 and a filter for fluorescent observation 22 are installedconcentrically at the inner circle side and the outer circle side, asshown in FIG. 2, and by driving the motor for moving 20, the filter fornormal-light illumination 21 is set on the optical path to set theoperation state in the normal-light image mode (also called normal-lightmode), or the filter for normal-light illumination 21 is switched to thefilter for fluorescent illumination 22 to set the operation state tofluorescent image mode (also called fluorescent mode).

The RGB filter 21 is provided with R, G and B filters 21 a, 21 b and 21c, for transmitting the wavelength band of R (red), G (green) and B(blue) respectively, so as to divide the RGB filter 21 into three equalsections in a circumferential direction, and each filter is sequentiallyand continuously inserted into the optical path respectively by therotational driving of the motor for rotation 16.

The transmission characteristic of the R, G and B filters 21 a, 21 b and21 c is a filter characteristic for transmitting each wavelength band of600 to 700 nm, 500 to 600 nm, and 400 to 500 nm respectively, as shownin FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3A and in other drawings, symbols R, G and B,corresponding to the respective filter transmission characteristic, areused instead of 21 a, 21 b and 21 c. (This is the same for the latermentioned filter for fluorescent observation 22.)

The filter for fluorescent observation 22 is provided with R1, G1 and E1filters 22 a, 22 b and 22 c for transmitting the narrow band red (R1),narrow band green (G1) and narrow band excitation light (E1)respectively, so as to divide the filter 22 into three equal sections ina circumferential direction, and each filter is sequentially insertedinto the optical path by the rotational driving of the motor forrotation 16.

The transmission characteristic of R1, G1 and E1 filters 22 a, 22 b and22 c is a filter characteristic for transmitting each wavelength band of590 to 610 nm, 540 to 560 nm and 390 to 445 nm respectively, as shown inFIG. 3B.

The illumination light from the light source unit 3A is transmitted(guided) to the tip of the insertion section 7 of the electronicendoscope 2A by the light guide fiber 9. This light guide fiber 9transmits light for fluorescent observation and light for normal-lightobservation with low transmission loss. This light guide fiber 9 is madeof multi-component glass fiber or of quartz fiber, for example.

The light transmitted to the tip face of the light guide fiber 9 isirradiated onto the observation target area in the body cavity via anillumination lens 24 installed on the illumination window facing the tipface.

An observation window is installed adjacent to the illumination windowat the tip section 8, and an objective lens system 25 for forming anoptical image, an aperture 26 for spatially limiting the incident lightquantity in order to focus from a far point to a near point, anexcitation light cut filter 27 for cutting excitation light, and animage pickup device for capturing fluorescent and reflected lightimages, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) 28, for capturingmonochrome (or black and white) images, are installed in the observationwindow.

For the image pickup device for capturing fluorescent and reflectedlight images, a CMD (Charge Modulation Device), a C-MOS image pickupdevice, an AMI (Amplified MOS Imager) or a BCCD (Back Illuminated CCD)may be used instead of the CCD 28.

The excitation light cut filter 27 is a filter for shielding theexcitation light which is used for generating fluorescence. FIG. 3Cshows a characteristic of the excitation light cut filter 27. As FIG. 3Cshows, the excitation light cut filter 27 has a characteristic totransmit a 470 to 700 nm wavelength band, that is, visible lightexcluding a part of the wavelength (400 to 470 nm) of the blue band.

This electronic endoscope 2A also has a scope switch 29 for controllingthe instructions to select the fluorescent image mode and thenormal-light image mode and for controlling the instructions for freezeand release, wherein the control signals are input to a control circuit37, and the control circuit 37 executes control operation correspondingto the control signals.

If the normal-light mode switch of a mode selector switch at the scopeswitch 29 is operated, for example, the light source unit 3A enters thestate to sequentially supply illumination light in normal-light mode,that is, R, G and B lights, to the light guide fiber 9, and theprocessor 4A enters the state to execute signal processing correspondingto the normal-light mode.

If the fluorescent mode switch of a mode selector switch is operated,the light source unit 3A enters a state to sequentially supply theillumination light in the fluorescent mode, that is, R1, G1 and E1lights, to the light guide fiber 9, and the processor 4A enters thestate to execute signal processing corresponding to the fluorescentmode.

The CCD 28 is driven by a CCD drive signal from a CCD drive circuit 31installed in the processor 4A, performs photoelectric conversion for theoptical image formed in the CCD 28, and outputs the image signals.

The image signals are amplified by a preamplifier 32 installed in theprocessor 4A, then are amplified up to a predetermined level by anauto-gain control (AGC) circuit 33, converted from analog signals todigital signals (image data) by an A/D conversion circuit 34, and eachimage data is temporarily stored in a first frame memory 36 a, secondframe memory 36 b, and third frame memory 36 c via a multiplexer 35which performs switching.

The CCD drive circuit 31 is controlled by the control circuit 37.Concretely, in the normal-light mode, as described later, the lightquantity to be received by the CCD 28 decreases more when illuminationis performed with the B filter 21 c than when illumination is performedwith the other filters R or G 21 a or 21 b, thus activating theelectronic shutter function.

In the fluorescent mode as well, the light quantity to be received bythe CCD 28 during the period of obtaining fluorescent images byirradiating the excitation light using the E1 filter 22 c is much lowerthan the case of the reflected light of which illumination is performedusing the R1 or G1 filter 22 a or 22 b, thus activating the electronicshutter function.

The control circuit 37 controls the motor for moving 20 according to theselected mode. The motor for rotation 16 is controlled by the controlcircuit 37, and the output of the encoder (not shown), mounted on therotation axis of the motor for rotation 16, is input to the controlcircuit 37, and the control circuit 37 controls the CCD drive circuit 31and the switching of the multiplexer 35, synchronizing with the outputof the encoder.

The control circuit 37 controls the switching of the multiplexer 35,where in normal-light mode each image data captured under theillumination of the R, G and B filters 21 a, 21 b and 21 c issequentially stored in the first frame memory 36 a, second frame memory36 b, and third frame memory 36 c respectively.

In fluorescent mode as well, the control circuit 37 controls theswitching of the multiplexer 35, where each signal captured under theillumination of the R1, G1 and E1 filters 22 a, 22 b and 22 c issequentially stored in the first frame memory 36 a, second frame memory36 b, and third frame memory 36 c respectively.

The image data stored in the frame memories 36 a to 36 c are input to animage processing circuit 38, where, as described later with reference toFIG. 4, image processing is performed on the input signals so as toconvert the input signals into the output signals having hue whichallows easily identifying normal tissue and pathologically affectedtissue using the matrix circuit 34, then the image data is convertedinto analog RGB signals using a D/A conversion circuit 39, and is outputto the monitor 5.

In the image processing circuit 38, which is one of the characteristicsof the present embodiment, three signals to be input into this imageprocessing circuit 38, that is, the reflected light image capturingsignals generated by capturing the image of reflected light in thebiological tissue using two illumination lights G1 and R1 in the narrowband, and the fluorescent image signal generated by capturing the imageof fluorescence which is generated in the biological tissue by theexcitation light E1, are matrix-converted by the image processingcircuit 38, and are allocated to three channels, R, G and B, for colordisplay.

In this processor 4A, a light adjustment circuit 40 is installed so asto automatically control the opening amount of the light source aperture13 in the light source unit 3A based on the signal passing through thepreamplifier 32. This light adjustment circuit 40 is controlled by thecontrol circuit 37.

The control circuit 37 controls the lamp current which drives the lamp12 of the lamp drive circuit 11 for light emission.

This control circuit 37 also performs the control operation according toan operation of the scope switch 29.

The electronic endoscope 2A has a scope ID generation section 41 forgenerating unique ID information which includes at least a modelinformation of the electronic endoscope 2A, and when the electronicendoscope 2A is connected to the processor 4A, the model information ofthe connected electronic endoscope 2A is detected by a model detectioncircuit 42 installed at the processor 4A side, and the model informationis sent to the control circuit 37.

The control circuit 37 sends control signals for setting the parametersof the matrix circuit of the image processing circuit 38 to beappropriate values according to the characteristics of the model of theconnected electronic endoscope 2A. A setting switch 43 for selecting andsetting the parameters of the matrix circuit is also connected to theimage processing circuit 38.

A concrete configuration of the image processing circuit 38 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

As FIG. 4 shows, R, G and B signals are input from the first to thethird frame memories 36 a to 36 c to the three input ends Ta, Tb and Tcof the image processing circuit 38 in the normal-light image mode, andsignals R1, G1 and EX are input in the fluorescent image mode. Here forsimplification, signals R1 and G1 show image capturing signals generatedby capturing the reflection signals in biological tissue under theillumination lights R1 and G1, and signal EX shows the signal of afluorescent image captured under the excitation light E1.

The signals R, G and B, or signals R1, G1 and EX, which are input to theinput ends Ta, Tb and Tc, are converted into the signals R′, G′ and B′by the matrix circuit 45, and are output. Actually in the normal-lightimage mode, the input signals R, G and B are output as is. In thefluorescent image mode, on the other hand, the input signals R1, G1 andEX are converted into the signals R′, G′ and B′, and are output.

In other words, if the three rows and the three columns of matrixelements (also called parameters) of a matrix circuit 45 is aij, thenR′, G′ and B′ is given by

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{bmatrix}R^{\prime} \\G^{\prime} \\B^{\prime}\end{bmatrix} = {\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix}\;\begin{bmatrix}{R1} \\{G1} \\{E\; X}\end{bmatrix}}} & {{Formula}\mspace{20mu} 1} \\{\begin{bmatrix}R^{\prime} \\G^{\prime} \\B^{\prime}\end{bmatrix} = {\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix}\;\begin{bmatrix}{{Input}\mspace{20mu} 1} \\{{Input}\mspace{20mu} 2} \\{{Input}\mspace{20mu} 3}\end{bmatrix}}} & {F\; o\; r\; m\; u\; l\; a\mspace{20mu} 1^{\prime}}\end{matrix}$

Formula 1 shows the case of the fluorescent image mode. Formula 1′, onthe other hand, shows the case when the more general input signals, thatis, inputs 1, 2 and 3 (the inputs 1, 2 and 3 are signals R, G and B inthe normal-light mode, and R1, G1 and EX in fluorescent mode), areconverted into the signals R′, G′ and B′ by the matrix circuit 45, andare output.

If the signals exceed a predetermined range, the output signals R′, G′and B′ of the matrix circuit 45 are further corrected using the threerange correction tables 46 a, 46 b and 46 c, then the result becomes theoutput signals R′, G′ and B′ of the image processing circuit 38, and areoutput from the output ends Ta′, Tb′ and Tc′ (connected to the R, G andB channels of the monitor 5) to the D/A conversion circuit 39.

The range correction tables 46 a, 46 b and 46 c are for correcting theabnormal values of the signals to be input to these range correctiontables 46 a, 46 b and 46 c, and the signals having a normal signal levelare output as is, so for simplification, the output signals of the rangecorrection tables 46 a, 46 b and 46 c are also shown as R′, G′ and B′.

This matrix circuit 45 is connected to a parameter decision section 47for deciding the parameter aij thereof, and the control circuit 37 and aROM 48 are connected to this parameter decision section 47. And asetting switch 43 is connected to this ROM 48.

In the ROM 48, a plurality of matrix elements having a differentparameter aij are stored, and a parameter, decided (selected) by theparameter decision section 47, using the control signals from thecontrol circuit 37, is sent to the matrix circuit 45, and the parameteraij in the Formula 1′ is decided.

Concretely, a control signal for setting a parameter suitable for themodel of the endoscope 2A connected to the processor 4A is sent to theparameter decision section 47 by the control circuit 37, and theparameter decision section 47 decides the parameter corresponding to thecontrol signal.

If the user selects and sets a parameter stored in the ROM 48 byoperating the setting switch 43, then the parameter decision section 47sets the parameter of the matrix circuit 45 to be the selected.

According to the present embodiment, the endoscope system 1A ischaracterized in that the filter characteristic of the RGB filter 21 andthe filter for fluorescent observation 22 of the switching filter 17 ofthe light source unit 3A, and the excitation light cut filter 27installed in the image capturing optical path of the electronicendoscope 2A, are set as shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, so that the degreeof separation between the normal tissue and the pathologically affectedtissue can be increased.

The present embodiment is also characterized in that matrix conversionis performed especially on the input signals R1, G1 and EX using theimage processing circuit 38, so that the hue is different between thenormal tissue and the pathologically affected tissue, and the images ofthe pathologically affected tissue are displayed in a predetermined hueto make identification easier.

At first an increase of ability of distinction will be described withreference to FIG. 5 and other drawings.

FIG. 5A shows an intensity distribution characteristic example withrespect to the wavelength of the fluorescent image obtained frombiological tissue, and FIG. 5B shows an intensity distributioncharacteristic example with respect to the wavelength of reflected lightobtained from biological tissue.

FIG. 5A shows the distribution characteristic which peaks at around 520nm, and in the present embodiment, the transmission characteristic bythe excitation light cut filter 27 is set to include a wavelength bandaround 520 nm.

In the intensity characteristic of the reflected light in FIG. 5B,absorption by hemoglobin is high at around 550 nm, and reflectionintensity drops at around this wavelength. The wavelength around 600 nmis a zone where no absorption by hemoglobin occurs.

The center wavelength of the two filters 22 a and 22 b (G1 and R1 inFIG. 3B) are set to 550 nm and 600 nm.

In other words, in the present embodiment, the band of the R1 filter 22a is set to an area where the absorptivity of oxidized hemoglobin islow, and the band of the G1 filter 22 b is set to an area where theabsorptivity of oxidized hemoglobin is high.

For the lights G1 and R1 which are the first and second illuminationlights (reflected lights) when the biological tissue is illuminated inthe fluorescent mode and is captured by the reflected light thereof, thewavelength width is set to 20 nm, for example (this may be set to 20 nmor less, as described later).

The transmittance of the light in the blue area (long wavelength area)shielded by the E1 filter 22 c and in the blue area (short wavelengtharea) shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 are set to OD4 (1/10000) or less.

Now the reason why the wavelength (central wavelength) is set to 550 nmand 600 nm when an image is obtained by the two reflected lights in thefluorescent mode, as described above, will be described with referenceto FIG. 6 and other drawings. The wavelength band width of thefluorescent image is smaller with respect to the intensity of imagesgenerated by the reflected light, and the luminance level thereofbecomes relatively low compared with the images generated by thereflected light, which makes identification by hue difficult, so a wideband including at least the peak wavelength (around 520 nm) in thefluorescent spectrum is set so as to increase the luminance level,making identification by hue easier.

FIG. 6 shows the distribution of the normal sections and thepathologically affected sections which are plotted on spatialcoordinates, where three axes are the two reflected light intensitiesand the fluorescent intensity. In FIG. 6, the dotted section showsnormal tissue in the biological tissue, and the diagonal line sectionshows the pathologically affected tissue in the biological tissue.

As the section where the normal tissue and the pathologically affectedtissue overlap becomes smaller, it is easier to identify the normaltissue and the pathologically affected tissue, so in the presentembodiment, the bands of the two reflected lights are calculated by astatistical method (specifically Fisher's discriminate function) so thatthe overlapped section becomes the minimum.

In other words, the ability of distinction S is determined by theoverlap of the distribution of the normal tissue and the pathologicallyaffected tissue using the following formula.Ability of distinction S=1−(overlapped section of the normal tissue andthe pathologically affected tissue)/(entire distribution)

And the acquired ability of distinction S is calculated changing thecentral wavelength of the first reflected light and the second reflectedlight.

FIG. 7 shows ability of distinction S, which is acquired with respect tothe central wavelength of the second reflected light when the firstreflected light is changed as a parameter. Here the central wavelengthof the first reflected light is changed to 510 nm, 550 nm and 600 nm asa parameter.

According to FIG. 7, the highest ability of distinction S is acquiredwhen the central wavelength of the first reflected light is 550 nm andthe central wavelength of the second reflected light is 600 nm. Also thehighest ability of distinction S is acquired when the central wavelengthof the first reflected light is 600 nm, and the central wavelength ofthe second reflected light is 550 nm if the central wavelength of thefirst reflected light and that of the second reflected light areswitched.

FIG. 8 shows ability of distinction S, which is acquired when thecentral wavelength of the first reflected light is 550 nm and thewavelength width thereof is changed as a parameter. In FIG. 8, thewavelength width is changed to 80 nm, 20 nm and 10 nm.

According to FIG. 8, when the central wavelength of the first reflectedlight is 550 nm, a high ability of distinction S is acquired when thewavelength width is about 20 nm or less. According to FIG. 8, a higherability of distinction S is acquired when the wavelength width is 10 nmand not 20 nm, but as the wavelength width decreases, intensitydecreases and the S/N drops. Therefore in the present embodiment,wavelength width is set to 20 nm. The wavelength width may be set to 20nm or less, 10 nm for example, according to the S/N of the signalprocessing system of the processor 4A.

According to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the wavelength of the first and secondreflected lights (illumination lights) are set to 550 nm and 600 nmrespectively, and the wavelength width thereof is set to 20 nm, so thata high ability of distinction S can be acquired, that is, the normaltissue and the pathologically affected tissue can be distributed asseparately as possible.

In the present embodiment, the intensity of the fluorescent image ismuch lower compared with the case of the reflected light, as mentionedabove, and the excitation light cut filter 27 having a characteristicfor obtaining fluorescent images, which includes a wavelength bandaround 520 nm where the intensity of the fluorescent image reaches apeak, as shown in FIG. 5A, is used. By this, a fluorescent image withgood S/N can be obtained.

Also in the present embodiment, the parameters of the matrix conversionby the image processing circuit 38 are set to appropriate values so thathue (including luminance), allows easy identification of the normaltissue and the pathologically affected tissue on the display image.

Then the normal tissue and the pathologically affected tissue aredisplayed on the chromaticity diagrams shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 inpseudo-colors in the luminance and hue states, so as to be easilyidentified.

FIG. 13 shows the display screen of the monitor 5. On the monitor 5, thesquare section 49 in FIG. 13 is the area of image captured by the CCD28, and the octagonal section, when the four corners of the squaresection 49 which become dark are cutoff, is the display area 50 of theendoscope image, and according to the present embodiment, the imageprocessing circuit 38 is operated only during the image signal periodcorresponding to this range of the display area 50, so that theprocessing volume, such as matrix conversion, by the image processingcircuit 38, can be decreased and high-speed processing can beimplemented.

The functions of the present embodiment with such a configuration willnow be described.

As FIG. 1 shows, the connector for the light source 10 of the electronicendoscope 2A is connected to the light source unit 3A, and the connectorfor signals, which is not shown, of the electronic endoscope 2A isconnected to the processor 4A. And the endoscope system is set to theconnection state as shown in FIG. 1, and the power supply of each unitis turned ON for operation. Then the control circuit 37 executes theinitial setting operation, and sets the system to operate innormal-light mode, for example, in this initial setting state.

In this mode, the control circuit 37 controls the motor for moving 20 ofthe light source unit 3A, and sets the switching filter 17 so that theRGB filter 21 in the inner circle side to position in the illuminationlight path.

And the control circuit 37 rotates the rotation motor 16. The whitelight of the lamp 12 is filtered by the R, G and B filters 21 a, 21 band 21 c of the switching filter 17, which are sequentially positionedin the illumination light path, and is emitted as R, G and Billumination light to the observation target side.

In the normal-light mode, the illumination light (to the observationtarget side) by the switching filter 17 is generated by the R, G and Bfilters 21 a, 21 b and 21 c, which are sequentially positioned in theillumination light path.

The signals captured by the CCD 28 during sequential illumination by theR, G and B lights are amplified and A/D converted, then are sequentiallystored in the first frame memory 36 a, second frame memory 36 b, andthird frame memory 36 c by the multiplexer 35, which is sequentiallyswitched by the control circuit 37.

The image data with R, G and B color components, which is stored in theframe memories 36 a to 36 c, is simultaneously read during apredetermined frame period (e.g. 33 ms, that is 1/30 sec.), and is inputto the image processing circuit 38.

In the normal-light mode, the image processing circuit 38 outputs theinput signals as is. For example, the input signals may be output to theD/A conversion circuit 39 after passing through the matrix circuit 45and the range correction tables 46 a to 46 c, or may pass through thematrix circuit 45, which is set to normal-light mode.

In this case, the control circuit 37 sends the control signal fornormal-light mode to the parameter decision section 47, and theparameter decision section 47 outputs the input signals R, G and B asoutput signals, setting the parameter aij of the matrix circuit 45 to“1” only for the diagonal elements of a11, a22 and a33, and to “0” forthe rest. In this case, the range correction tables 46 a to 46 c passthe signals through, for example.

In this way, the captured signals are transformed into analog standardimage signals, that is, RGB signals in this case via the D/A conversioncircuit 39, and are output from the R, G and B channels to the monitor5, and a normal-light observation image (where color tone is reflectedwhen the subject is directly observed with irradiated white light) isdisplayed on the display screen of the monitor 5 in color.

As described above, concerning the quantity of reflected light at thesubject side when the illumination is performed through the B filter 21c, the quantity of received light of the color B component image is lessthan the quantity of the received light of the R and G color componentimages, since the short wavelength side has been cut by the excitationlight cut filter 27 when the CCD 28 receives the light, so in this statethe white balance is lost.

To prevent this, the control circuit 37 increases, doubles for example,the amplification factor of the CCD 28 when the image of an observationtarget is captured during an illumination period with the B filter 21 cvia the CCD drive circuit 31.

The control circuit 37 controls the lamp drive circuit 11, and increasesthe lamp current for driving the lamp 12 during the illumination periodwith the B filter 21 c to larger than the value of normal-light lampcurrent, for example, so as to increase the quantity of the illuminationlight of B.

The control circuit 37 also controls the CCD drive circuit 31 andoperates the functions of the electronic shutter of the CCD 28. In otherwords, the CCD 28 is driven such that the image capturing period becomesshorter during the illumination period of R and G with images beingcaptured only during a part of the illumination period, and the imagecapturing period becomes longer during the illumination period of B withimages being captured during the entire illumination period.

In this way, normal-light images with good white balance are displayedon the monitor 5. For setting the image capturing period by theelectronic shutter, the concrete values of the image capturing periodare stored in a memory, which is not shown, in the control circuit 37 inadvance, so that when the image of a white subject is captured, thesubject is displayed as white on the monitor 5 (or the image of thewhite subject may be captured during the initial setting after power isturned ON, and an image capturing period by the electronic shutter isconcretely set). At this time, not the image capturing period of theelectronic shutter but a value of the CCD amplification factor and avalue of the lamp current may be stored, and these values may be usedeither alone or in combination.

In this way, a subject is observed in the normal-light mode, and whenfluorescent observation is required for a target affected area of thesubject, for example, the fluorescent mode switch of the mode selectorswitch of the scope switch 29 is operated.

Then the control circuit 37 receives this control signal and drives themotor for moving 20 of the light source unit 3A, and moves the switchingfilter 17 so that the filter for fluorescent observation 22 is set to bepositioned on the illumination light path in order to switch tofluorescent mode.

When the fluorescent mode is set, the illumination light in thefluorescent mode, that is, the R1, G1 and E1 lights shown in FIG. 3B,are sequentially supplied to the light guide fiber 9 of the electronicendoscope 2A.

And the R1, G1 and E1 lights are sequentially irradiated onto thesubject. In the case of the R1 and G1 illumination, operation is thesame as the case when the R and G lights are sequentially irradiated inthe normal-light mode. In other words, in this case the reflected lightof R1 and G1 from the subject is received by the CCD 28. And in thiscase, the CCD 28 captures images without the influence of the excitationlight cut filter 27.

Whereas when the excitation light E1 is irradiated, the reflected lightof the excitation light E1 is almost completely shielded by theexcitation light cut filter 27, and the CCD 28 receives fluorescencefrom the subject side in the transmission band of the excitation lightcut filter 27.

The intensity of the fluorescence is much smaller than the intensity ofthe reflected light of R1 and G1 from the subject, so an operationsimilar to the above mentioned illumination of R and G in thenormal-light mode, the illumination of B, and the signal processing ofthese cases are executed so that bright fluorescent images, for easycomparison with images of the reflected light of R1 and G1 from thesubject, are displayed.

Concretely, when the reflected light of R1 and G1 from the subject iscaptured, the image data captured by the CCD 28 only during a part ofthe illumination period using the electronic shutter is stored in thefirst frame memory 36 a and the second frame memory 36 b.

Whereas when the excitation light of E1 is irradiated and thefluorescent image thereof is captured, the amplification factor of theCCD 28 is increased from 10 to 100 times, for example, the lamp currentis also increased, and the quantity of the illumination light of theexcitation light is also increased. And the fluorescent image datacaptured in this case is stored in the third frame memory 36 c.

And the image data of the first frame memory 36 a to the third framememory 36 c is read simultaneously in one frame period, and is input tothe image processing circuit 38.

The image processing circuit 38 has the configuration shown in FIG. 4,and the input signals R1, G1 and EX are converted by the matrix circuit45, and become the output signals R′, G′ and B′. In this case, thisprocessing is influenced by the light transmission characteristic(especially with respect to wavelength) of the light guide 9 and thesensitivity characteristic (especially with respect to wavelength) ofthe built-in CCD 28 depending on the model of the electronic endoscope2A to actually be used, even if the same light source unit 3A is used.Also the relative sizes of the input signals R1, G1 and EX change, sincethe light absorption and other characteristics differ depending on thesubject to be observed, so the model in use and the influence of thesubject are checked in advance, and the control circuit 37 sends thecontrol signal to the parameter decision section 47, so as to cancel thedependency on the model and the subject.

Therefore the output signals R′, G′ and B′, where the characteristicsdepending on the model and the subject have been compensated for, can beobtained from the matrix circuit 45. For example, when a differentelectronic endoscope model (referred to as 2C in this description) witha different transmission characteristic of the light guide 9 is usedinstead of the electronic endoscope 2A, and an image of the biologicaltissue is captured in a state which is the same as the electronicendoscope 2A, the values of the signals R1, G1 and EX to be input to theimage processing circuit 38 are different from the case of theelectronic endoscope 2A, but the parameters of the matrix circuit 45 areset (to be values different from the electronic endoscope 2A) such thatthe relative values of the output signals R′, G′ and B′, which passthrough the matrix circuit 45, become the same as the case of theelectronic endoscope 2A.

In this way, the parameters of the matrix circuit 45 are automaticallyset to appropriate values by the detection signal, which detected themodel of the electronic endoscope (including illumination means forguiding light and illuminating the subject, and image capturing means),and the output signals R′, G′ and B′, which do not depend on the modeland the subject, are obtained from the matrix circuit 45.

When these output signals R′, G′ and B′ deviate from the appropriaterange, that is, the output signal values become too large or too smallafter the matrix conversion, the output signals are cut at the upperlimit value and the lower limit value, and are corrected to the signallevels in the appropriate range by the range correction tables 46 a to46 c (concretely, correction is executed such that the luminance leveldoes not become less than “0” nor becomes “255” or more).

The signals which pass through the range correction tables 46 a to 46 care converted to analog RGB signals by the D/A conversion circuit 39,and are displayed in pseudo-colors on the monitor 5.

According to the present embodiment, when the fluorescent mode is set,the matrix of the matrix circuit 45 is set to a matrix with values shownin the following Formulas 2 or 3 in the case of the standard modelelectronic endoscope 2A. Also the matrix of formula 4 or 5 can be set bya selection operation. The formulas 2 to 4 correspond to thechromaticity diagrams in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 respectively.

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 0 & 0 \\0 & 0 & 1 \\0 & 1 & 0\end{bmatrix}} & {{Formula}\mspace{20mu} 2} \\{\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0 & 1 & 0 \\0 & 0 & 1 \\1 & 0 & 0\end{bmatrix}} & {{Formula}\mspace{20mu} 3} \\{\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0 & 1 & 0 \\1 & 0 & 0 \\0 & 0 & 1\end{bmatrix}} & {{Formula}\mspace{20mu} 4} \\{\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 0 & 0 \\0 & 1 & 0 \\0 & 0 & 1\end{bmatrix}} & {{Formula}\mspace{20mu} 5}\end{matrix}$

When the fluorescent mode is set, the matrix of the matrix circuit 45 isset according to the Formula 2 or 3, and in this case, in a statecorresponding to the chromaticity diagram, the normal tissue section andthe pathologically affected section are different, as shown in FIG. 9 orFIG. 10, and are displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors such thatthe pathologically affected tissue section enters roughly a single huearea.

In the case of the Formula 2, for example, the image signal EX in thefluorescent wavelength band is set at the G channel; one of the tworeflected light wavelength bands, which has different centralwavelengths and wavelength widths, is set at the R channel; and theother reflected light wavelength band is set at the B channel.

In the case of FIG. 9 which corresponds to Formula 2, the pathologicallyaffected tissue section is limited to the area around the pink hue.

In the case of the Formula 3, the image signal EX in the fluorescentwavelength band is set at the G channel, just like the case of theFormula 2, and the remaining two signals in different reflected lightwavelength bands are exchanged compared with the case of the Formula 2.

In the case of FIG. 10 which corresponds to Formula 3, thepathologically affected tissue section is limited to the area aroundpurple hue. The display mode corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 can beinter-switched by operating the switching mode in the fluorescent mode.And the user can display their choice.

Therefore an operator can judge it highly probable that the tissue ispathologically affected viewing from the section displayed in pink huein the case of FIG. 9.

In the case of FIG. 10, an operator can judge it highly probable thatthe tissue is pathologically affected viewing from the section displayedin purple hue.

When it is judged as highly probable that the tissue is a pathologicallyaffected viewing from the display state with pseudo-colors correspondingto the state of the chromaticity diagram in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, and whenthe switch used at the mode for the pathologically affected tissue isprovided further in the fluorescent mode of the scope switch 29 and isoperated, the parameter decision section 47 changes further theparameters of the matrix circuit 45 by the control circuit 37 in orderto set to the Formula 4 or Formula 5.

For the Formula 4 or the Formula 5, images in the fluorescent mode, thatis, two reflected light images and a fluorescent image, are displayed inpseudo-colors in a state corresponding to the chromaticity diagram shownin FIG. 11 or FIG. 12.

In the Formula 4 or the Formula 5, the signal EX of the fluorescentimage is set at the B channel, and the signals G1 and R1 of the tworeflected light images are set at the G and R channels, or at the R andG channels respectively.

In the FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, the pathologically affected tissue isdisplayed with a plurality of hues, so it may not be appropriate todiagnose the normal tissue and the pathologically affected tissue atthis point, but when it is judged as highly probable that the tissue ispathologically affected tissue as in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, setting thedisplay mode shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 makes it easier to diagnose thestate of the pathologically affected tissue in more detail due to thedifference of hues. For example, the change of hues makes it easier tojudge the degree of progress of the given pathological problem.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when two reflected lightimages and a fluorescent image are displayed in pseudo-colors, thewavelength of the reflected light images is set to an appropriate valueso that the overlap of the normal tissue and the pathologically affectedtissue sections is decreased and ability of distinction S is increased,and the wavelength of the fluorescent image is set such that the S/Nthereof is high for easy identification, where the pathologicallyaffected tissue is displayed in pseudo-colors so as to enter a singlehue area, which is different from the normal tissue, and makes it easierto identify the pathologically affected tissue from the normal tissue,so an operator can easily diagnose the pathologically affected tissue.In other words, the present embodiment can provide an environment whichmakes diagnosis easier.

The excitation light cut filter 27, which is installed in front of theimage pickup device of the electronic endoscope 2A, cuts the excitationlight which includes a part of the blue wavelength band, and also theexcitation light cut filter 27 transmits light in a visible regionexcluding a part of the blue light (transmits a part of the blue lightand the entire region of the green and red wavelength band), fornormal-light observation, therefore, capturing normal-light images andfluorescent images, and the display of normal-light images andfluorescent images by signal processing are possible by installing oneimage pickup device in the tip 8 of the insertion section 7.

Therefore, (compared with the case of housing a plurality of imagepickup devices), the diameter of the insertion section 7 of theelectronic endoscope 2A can be decreased, the application range wherethe electronic endoscope 2A can be inserted and used can be increased,and the pain caused to a patient at insertion can be decreased. Anoperator can insert the electronic endoscope 2A into a body cavityeasily. Also cost can be decreased, since only one image pickup deviceis used.

Since blue, out of the entire visible light wavelength band (region), isused as the excitation light, a halogen lamp or a Xenon lamp, which canbe used for normal-light illumination (white illumination), can be usedfor the lamp 12 of the light source unit 3A. Also, compared with thecase when ultra-violet is used for the excitation light, transmissionloss due to the light guide fiber 9 can be decreased, and the componentsfor normal-light illumination can be used, which are merits.

In particular, the present embodiment can implement the endoscope system1A which can display images (fluorescent images and reflected lightimages) in pseudo-colors for easy identification of normal tissue andpathologically affected tissue by a simple configuration.

Now a variant form of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration of an image processing circuit 38B of afirst variant form. The image processing circuit 38B of the firstvariant form uses a lookup table 51 (LUT in FIG. 4) instead of thematrix circuit 45 and level correction tables 46 a to 46b in FIG. 4.

This lookup table 51 is connected to a ROM 53 via a parameter decisionsection 52, and the parameter decision section 47 is connected to thecontrol circuit 37 and the setting switch 43.

In the ROM 53, a plurality of sets of output values are stored inadvance, and the output values decided by the control signal of thecontrol circuit 37 and the setting of the setting switch 43 via theparameter decision section 52 are set at the lookup table 51.

And for the three signals which are input from the input ends Ta to Tc,the corresponding output values are read from the lookup table 51, andare output from the output ends Ta′, Tb′ and Tc′ to the R, G and Bchannels.

In the case of the normal-light mode, the lookup table 51 is set suchthat the input signals are output as is.

This variant form has functions and effects similar to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 15 shows an image processing circuit 38C of the second variantform.

This image processing circuit 38C has a color tone conversion section 55instead of the lookup table 51 in FIG. 14.

The color tone conversion section 55 is comprised of a CPU and anarithmetic circuit, and performs the arithmetic processing of the matrixconversion of Formula 1′ (and range correction table processing).

In the normal-light mode, the color tone conversion section 54 outputsthe input signals as is (without executing arithmetic processing). Thisvariant form has functions and effects similar to the first embodiment.

As described above, the present embodiment is an endoscope system,comprising a light source for illuminating the illumination light fortwo different wavelength bands and the excitation light for excitingfluorescence; image capturing means for capturing two reflected lightimages by reflected light when the illumination light is irradiated ontoa biological tissue and is reflected, and a fluorescent image byfluorescence excited by the excitation light; image processing means forprocessing the two reflected light images and a fluorescent image andcreating a processed image, and display means for displaying theprocessed image; wherein when the processed image is distributed onspatial coordinates where three axes are the intensities of the twodifferent reflected lights and the fluorescence from the biologicaltissue, the wavelengths of the reflected lights and the fluorescence areselected such that the normal tissue and the pathologically affectedtissue are separated on the three axes on the spatial coordinates, andthe above mentioned image processing means further comprises means ofinputting the three signals of the fluorescent image and the tworeflected light images, and axial conversion means for operating thesignals and converting them into signals comprised of three colorcomponents so that luminance and/or hue differ between the normal tissueand the pathologically affected tissue, and the images of thepathologically affected tissue enter within a specific range of hue, soas to obtain images which make it easier to identify the normal tissueand the pathologically affected tissue.

(Second Embodiment)

The second embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 16. The configuration of the present embodimentis the same as the first embodiment, wherein a part of thecharacteristics of the excitation light cut filter 27, shown in FIG. 3C,has been changed.

FIG. 16 shows the characteristics of the intensity with respect to thewavelength of fluorescence obtained from a biological tissue whichincludes porphyrin. As FIG. 16 shows, when the biological tissueincludes porphyrin, a wavelength band slightly longer than 620 nm mayhave a peak, which emits fluorescence due to porphyrin.

According to the present embodiment, to eliminate this influence offluorescence generated by porphyrin, the longer wavelength side of thetransmission characteristic of the excitation light cut filter 27 is cutat 620 nm, as indicated by the one-dotted line in FIG. 16, so thatfluorescence at a wavelength longer than this wavelength is not receivedby the CCD.

In other words, the excitation light cut filter 27 is set such that thefluorescence from 470 nm, which are the same as the first embodiment, to620 nm at the longer wavelength side, is transmitted, for example. Therest is the same as the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the functions andeffects of the first embodiment, the endoscope system can display thenormal tissue and the pathologically affected tissue in pseudo-colorsusing hue which makes it easy to identify the normal tissue and thepathologically affected tissue, eliminating the influence of porphyrineven when the biological tissue section which includes porphyrin isobserved.

(Third Embodiment)

FIG. 17 shows the image processing circuit 38D of the third embodiment.

In this image processing circuit 38D, an enhancement conversion table56, comparator 57, and ROM 58 are additionally installed to theconfiguration in FIG. 4.

According to the present embodiment, the enhancement conversion table 56is installed between the input end Tc and the matrix circuit 45 in FIG.4, and the signal EX of the fluorescent image is enhancement-processedby this enhancement conversion table 56, and is input to the matrixcircuit 45.

The input ends Ta and Tb are connected to the matrix circuit 45, and areconnected to the comparator 57, and by this comparator 57, it isdetected whether the signals R1 and G1, to be input from the input endsTa and Tb, deviate from a predetermined range, and the detection signalis input to the ROM 58 installed between the matrix circuit 45 and therange correction tables 46 a to 46 c.

The ROM 58 compares the luminance level of signals to be input from theinput ends Ta and Tb and the upper limit value, and if the luminancelevel exceeds the upper limit level, the ROM 58 sets all the luminancelevels of the three signals after conversion processing by the matrixcircuit 45 to the same upper limit value, for example (in this case theimage is displayed in white).

The enhancement conversion table 56 is set to the input/outputcharacteristic K, shown in FIG. 18, where the output level with respectto the signal at the pathologically affected tissue side at a low inputlevel is expanded, and the range of the output level with respect to thesignal at the normal tissue side at a wide input level is compressed tobe small.

By this, the biased levels of the three signals to be input to thematrix circuit 45 are corrected and converted, so as to be input at amore desirable level.

In the normal-light mode, the enhancement conversion table 56 does notfunction, and input signals are output as is.

The other configuration is the same as the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same functionsand effects of the first embodiment, the signal level of the fluorescentimages is expanded, and the luminance level, when displaying inpseudo-colors, is increased, so that the hues and changes of tone can beidentified more easily. (If the luminance level is low, identificationof hue becomes difficult.)

Even when the level of input signal is low, the present embodimentallows a display with color tone at an appropriate level.

(Fourth Embodiment)

Now the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 25. An endoscope system 1C, accordingto the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, is comprised of an electronicendoscope (hereafter called “scope”) 2B, a light source unit 3A forsupplying illumination light, a processor 4C for executing signalprocessing, a monitor 5 for displaying images, an image processor 38Ewhich is connected to the output end of the processor 4C, a monitor 61which is connected to the output end of the image processor 38E, and akeyboard 62 which is connected to the image processor 38E.

In the endoscope system 1C, the scope 2B can be used. The scope 2B is adifferent model from the scope 2A in FIG. 1, housing two image pickupdevices.

This scope 2B has a CCD for fluorescent observation (CCD forfluorescence) 28 a, and a CCD for normal-light observation (CCD fornormal-light use) 28 b at the tip 8 of the insertion section 7.

On the observation window of the tip section 8, an image capturingsection for fluorescent observation, which is comprised of an objectivelens system 25 a for forming an optical image, a first aperture 26 a forspatially limiting the light quantity, an excitation light cut filter27, and a CCD for fluorescent observation 28 a as an image pickup devicefor capturing fluorescent images, and an image capturing section fornormal-light observation, which is comprised of an objective lens system25 b for forming an optical image, a second aperture 26 b, and a CCD fornormal-light observation 28 b as an image pickup device for capturingnormal-light images, are installed. The fNo. of the first aperture 26 ahas a smaller value than the fNo. of the second aperture 26 b. In otherwords, a large quantity of light enters the CCD for fluorescence 28 a.

The two CCDs 28 a and 28 b are connected to the CCD drive circuit 31 andto the preamplifier 32 via a selector switch 64. Switching this selectorswitch 64 is controlled by the control circuit 37. In other words, whenthe fluorescent mode is selected by the scope switch 29, the CCD forfluorescence 28 a is selected and used, and when the normal-light modeis selected, the CCD for normal-light use 28 b is selected and used.

In the present embodiment as well, the scope 2B has a scope IDgeneration section 41 (for simplification, called “scope ID” in thedrawings after FIG. 19), which generates unique identificationinformation, including the type (model) thereof, so that a scope 2B, adifferent model, can be connected and used, and the model detectioncircuit 42 in the processor 4C detects the model using the scope ID.

The scope ID generation section 41 is comprised of a memory device,where information, including the model of the scope 2B, is written,however the scope ID generation section 41 is not limited to this, butcan be comprised of a dip switch, which is further comprised of aplurality of switches, for example.

The model information detected by the model detection circuit 42 of theprocessor 4C is sent to the control circuit 37, and the control circuit37 controls the light source unit 3C according to the detected model, sothat a subject can be observed in the fluorescent mode or thenormal-light mode which is suitable for the scope of that model.

The configuration of the light source unit 3A in the present embodimentis the same as the light source unit 3A in FIG. 1.

The excitation light cut filter 27 installed in front of the CCD 28 a isset to have the transmission characteristic shown in FIG. 3C.

The processor 4C is the processor 4A in FIG. 1, wherein an imageprocessing circuit 65 for processing image signal generation, such asgamma correction, is used instead of the image processing circuit 38.The signals to be output from the R, G and B channels of the imageoutput ends of the processor 4C are output to the monitor 5, and arealso output to the image processor 38E.

FIG. 20 shows the configuration of the image processor 38E.

This image processor 38E executes A/D conversion on analog signals to beoutput from the R, G and B channels of the processor 4C using the A/Dconversion circuits 71 a to 71 c. The digital signals after A/Dconversion are input to lookup tables 72 a to 72 c where inverse gammacorrection is executed.

The signals after inverse gamma correction is executed are input to thematrix circuit 45, where the matrix conversion processing is executedjust like the first embodiment, and range correction processing isexecuted for the output signals thereof by the range correction tables46 a to 46 c.

The output signals of the range correction tables 46 a to 46 c are inputto the lookup tables 72 a to 72 c, and after gamma correction isexecuted, the output signals are converted to analog signals by the D/Aconversion circuits 74 a to 74 c, and are output to the monitor 61.

The parameter decision section 47 is connected to the matrix circuit 45,and the ROM 48 and the external keyboard 62 are connected to thisparameter decision section 47.

Parameters to generate a plurality of sets of matrix elements are storedin the ROM 48, just like the first embodiment, and the matrix of thematrix circuit 45 is decided via the parameter decision section 47 byselection and control using the keyboard 62.

In the present embodiment, the processor 4C executes normal-light imageprocessing, and the external image processor 38E executes the processingof images so that the normal tissue and the pathologically affectedtissue can be easily identified in the fluorescent mode.

By using the scope 2B comprised of the CCD for fluorescent observation28 a and the CCD for normal-light observation 28 b, images with betterquality can be obtained in the respective modes compared with the caseof a CCD sharing the respective functions.

The functions of the present embodiment will now be described.

When the scope 2B is connected to the processor 4B, the model detectioncircuit 42 detects the ID information from the scope ID circuit 41, andthe control circuit 37 judges the model of the connected scope by thedetection signal of the model detection circuit 42. And the controlcircuit 37 executes control operation according to the model which wasjudged.

When the normal-light mode is selected in the state where the scope 2Bis connected, the control circuit 37 switches the selector switch 64 soas to select the CCD for normal-light observation 28 b.

In the normal-light mode, the RGB filter 21 at the inner circle side ofthe switching filter section 14 is positioned on the optical path.

In the present embodiment, the excitation light cut filter 27 is notinstalled in the front of the CCD 28 b, so the images of R, G and B aresequentially captured, just like the image capturing by a normal-lightCCD.

Therefore in this mode, during the illumination period in B in the firstembodiment, an increase in the lamp current is not required and imageswith good white balance can be captured and displayed.

When the fluorescent mode is selected, the control circuit 37 switchesthe selector switch 46 so as to select the CCD for fluorescentobservation 28 a.

The control circuit 37 controls the motor for moving 20 and moves theswitching filter 17 so that the filter for fluorescent observation 51 ispositioned on the illumination light path.

This case is the same state when the images are captured by the scope 2Ain the first embodiment.

In the fluorescent mode, the amplification factor of the CCD 28 a andthe lamp current increase.

In this case, image signal generation processing is executed by theprocessor 4C, and image signals to be output from the R, G and Bchannels are input to the monitor 5, and are also input to the imageprocessor 38E.

In this case, images are displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colorswithout the matrix conversion processing in the first embodiment.

The image processor 38E executes processing similar to that executed bythe image processing circuit 38 in the processor 4A in the firstembodiment.

Since analog image signals, to be output to outside the processor 4C,are input to the image processor 38E, in the image processor 38E, theA/D conversion circuits 71 a to 71 c execute an A/D conversion, as shownin FIG. 20, and executes inverse gamma correction using the lookuptables 72 a to 72 c, so as to generate digital signals which are notgamma corrected.

The matrix circuit 45 executes matrix conversion processing, thenexecutes range correction using the range correction tables 46 a to 46c. Then gamma correction is executed using the lookup tables 72 a to 72c, the signals are output from the R, G and B channels to the monitor 61via the D/A conversion circuits 74 a to 74 c, and images similar tothose described in the first embodiment are displayed on the displayscreen of the monitor 61.

According to the present embodiment, images can be captured without apart of the blue wavelength band being cut by the excitation light cutfilter in the normal-light mode, and normal-light images with good S/Ncan be obtained.

In the fluorescent mode, images are displayed in pseudo-colors via theexternal image processor 38E in a state where the normal tissue and thepathologically affected tissue can be easily identified, just like thosedescribed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows an image example to be displayed on the monitor 61connected to the image processor 38E. The image which is output by theimage processor 38E is displayed in pseudo-colors on an image displaysection 80 on the display screen of the monitor 61.

In a box 81 next to the image display section 80, a directory forstoring images is created for each patient ID to be input. Depending onthe mode selected by a button 82, predetermined parameters of the matrixcan be selected. Also an image display start button, stop button, savebutton 83, and a button 84 to call up the setting screen are disposed.

FIG. 22 shows a setting screen called up by operating the button 84. Inthis case, a box 86 for inputting the parameters of the matrix and a box87 for setting the gain for the R, G and B channels are displayed on theimage display section 80 in FIG. 21, so that the user can set thedesired values.

FIG. 23 shows an image processor 38F of the first variant form. In thisimage processor 38F, the functions of the lookup tables 72 a to 72 c,the matrix circuit 45, the range correction tables 46 a to 46 c, and thelookup tables 73 a to 73 c in FIG. 20 are all integrated into the lookuptable 76.

According to the present variant form, cost can be decreased.

FIG. 24 shows an image processor 38G of the second variant form. In thisimage processor 38G, the matrix circuit 45 in FIG. 20 has been changedto the color tone conversion section 55. This variant form has functionsand effects similar to the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 shows an image processor 38H of the third variant form. Thisimage processor 38H corresponds to FIG. 17.

In other words, in the image processing circuit 38D in FIG. 17, the A/Dconversion circuits 71 a to 71 c and the lookup tables 72 a to 72 c areinstalled at the input side, just like FIG. 20, and the lookup tables 73a to 73 c and the D/A conversion circuits 74 a to 74 c are installed atthe output side, and the keyboard 62 is connected to the parameterdecision section 46.

This variant form has functions and effects similar to the thirdembodiment.

(Fifth Embodiment)

Now the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 26 to FIG. 34. The object of the present embodiment isto provide an endoscope system which can obtain both fluorescent imagesand normal-light images with good image quality, even if a differentendoscope (scope) is used.

An endoscope system 1D of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 26 iscomprised of a first and second electronic endoscopes (hereafter“scopes”) 2A and 2B, a light source unit 3C for supplying illuminationlight, a processor 4C for executing signal processing, and a monitor 5for displaying images.

In this embodiment as well, each scope 2A and 2B has scope ID generationsection (simply called “scope ID” in FIG. 26, as mentioned above) 41 and41 b for generating unique identification information, including thetype (model) of the scopes 2A and 2B respectively, so that the first andsecond scopes 2A and 2B, which are different types, can be connected.The scope ID circuits 41 and 41 b are comprised of a memory device,where information, including the model of the scopes 2A and 2B, iswritten respectively, but the scope ID circuit is not limited to this,but may be comprised of a dip switch, which is further comprised of aplurality of switches, for example.

At the processor 4C side, the model detection circuit 42 for identifyingidentification information of the connected scopes 2A and 2B isinstalled, where the model information detected by the model detectioncircuit 42 is sent to the control circuit 37, and the control circuit 37controls the light source unit 3C so that the subject can be observed inthe fluorescent mode or the normal-light mode suitable for the scope ofthe detected model.

The light source unit 3C of the present embodiment is the light sourceunit 3A in FIG. 1, wherein a switching filter 150, where the rotationposition is switched by a motor 149, is installed between the lightsource aperture 13 and the lamp 12.

As described later, this switching filter 150 has at least one filterfor limiting the wavelength of the excitation light to be irradiatedonto the subject side according to the scope 2A or 2B to be connectedand used in the fluorescent mode, in addition to the filter fortransmitting the wavelength band of the visible light withoutlimitation. And according to the scope ID circuit 41 or 41 b, oraccording to the observation conditions, a plurality of filters (filterfor not limiting the band and at least one (two in this embodiment)filter for limiting the band) installed at the switching filter 150 canbe switched and used.

For a switching filter section 14′ in the present embodiment, aswitching filter 17″, which is somewhat different from the switchingfilter 17 in the switching filter section 14 in FIG. 1, is used.

As FIG. 27A shows, in this switching filter 17″, the RGB filter 21 fornormal-light observation is installed at the inner circle side, and thefilter for fluorescent observation 151 is installed at the outer circleside.

In this switching filter 17″, the RGB filter 21 for normal observationis disposed concentrically at the inner circle side, and a filter 151for fluorescent observation, which is comprised of the R3, G3 and E3filters 151 a, 151 b and 151 c, is disposed concentrically at the outercircle side. And according to the switching of the normal-light mode andthe fluorescent mode, the RGB filter 21 at the inner circle side or thefilter 151 for fluorescent observation at the outer circle side isselected.

The RGB filter 21 for normal-light observation at the inner circle side,shown in FIG. 28A, has the same transmission characteristic as in FIG.3A. In other words, it is set such that the R filter 21 a transmitslight of a wavelength band ranged from 600 to 700 nm, the G filter 21 btransmits from 500 to 600 nm, and the B filter 21 c transmits from 400to 500 nm respectively.

The filter 51 for fluorescent observation disposed at the outer circleside is comprised of the R3, G3 and E3 filters 151 a, 151 b and 151 c,and the transmission characteristic thereof is set to have thecharacteristic shown in FIG. 28B. In other words, it is set such thatthe R3 filter 151 a transmits 600 to 660 nm, the G3 filter 151 btransmits 540 to 560 nm, and the E3 filter 151 c transmits 400 to 470 nmwavelength bands respectively.

FIG. 27B is a diagram depicting the arrangement of the switching filter150, where three filters, 152 a, 152 b and 152 c, are arranged in acircumferential direction. According to the switching of thenormal-light observation or the fluorescent observation mode, the model,the scope or the mode according to the conditions of fluorescentobservation (user selection) (e.g. mode to view information on a deeperarea, mode assigning priority to brightness), the rotation position ofthe switching filter 150 is controlled, and one of the first filter 152a, second filter 152 b and third filter 152 c is set on the opticalpath.

The first filter 152 a transmits light in the entire wavelength band ofvisible light, from blue to red, as shown in FIG. 28C. In thenormal-light mode, the control circuit 37 controls the motor 49, so thatthe first filter 152 a is positioned on the optical path.

An excitation light cut filter 27 a, installed in front of the CCD 28 a,is set to have the transmission characteristic shown in FIG. 28D.Concretely, this excitation light cut filter 27 a transmits light in the490 to 700 nm wavelength band, that is, visible light, excluding a partof the blue band at the shorter wavelength side.

The second filter 152 b and the third filter 152 c, shown in FIG. 27B,are set to have the transmission characteristic shown in FIG. 29A andFIG. 29B respectively. The second filter 152 b transmits light in the430 to 700 nm wavelength band. The third filter 152 c transmits a partof blue in 400 to 440 nm and green and red light in the 500 nm or higherwavelength band.

The second scope 2B is connected to this second filter 152 b, and whenthe fluorescent mode is selected, the user can select one of the twofilters, the second filter 152 b or the first filter 152 a, according tothe observation conditions.

The first scope 2A, which is shown in detail in FIG. 1, is connected tothe third filter 152 c, and can be used when the fluorescent mode isselected. The other configuration is the same as the first embodiment.

The functions of the present embodiment will now be described.

When the first scope 2A or 2B is connected to the processor 4B, themodel detection circuit 42 detects the ID information from the scope IDcircuit 41 or 41 b, and the control circuit 37 judges the model of theconnected scope by the detection signal of the model detection circuit42. And the control circuit 37 executes control operation according tothe model which was judged.

When the normal-light mode is selected in the state where the secondscope 2B is connected, for example, the control circuit 37 switches theselector switch 64 so as to select the CCD for normal-light observation28 b.

In the normal-light mode, the RGB filter 21 at the inner circle side ofthe switching filter section 14′ is positioned on the optical path, orthe first filter 152 a of the switching filter 150 is positioned on theoptical path. FIG. 30A shows the light intensity received by the CCD 28b when a white subject is observed in this state.

In FIG. 3C, a part of the blue wavelength band is cut by the excitationlight cut filter 27, but in the present embodiment, the excitation lightcut filter is not installed in front of the CCD 28 b, and R, G and Bimages are sequentially captured just like image capturing by anormal-light CCD.

Therefore in this mode, during the illumination period in B in the firstembodiment, an increase in the lamp current is not required and imageswith good white balance can be captured and displayed.

When the fluorescent mode is selected, the control circuit 37 switchesthe selector switch 64 so as to select the CCD for fluorescentobservation 28 a.

The control circuit 37 controls the motor for moving 20, and moves theswitching filter 17″ so that the filter for fluorescent observation 151is positioned on the illumination light path. In the switching filter150, the first filter 152 a remains on the illumination light path.

In this case, the excitation light, with a relatively wide bandindicated by E3 in FIG. 28B, is irradiated as an excitation lighttransmitted through the first filter 152 a and through the E3 filter 151c for fluorescent observation, and this excitation light is almostcompletely shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 a installed infront of the CCD 28 a (indicated by the two-dotted chain line in FIG.30B). In the present embodiment, the wavelength band of the excitationlight is increased so that the irradiation energy thereof is increased,and the light intensity of fluorescence to be generated is increased.

With illumination by R3 and G3, the reflected lights thereof arereceived by the CCD 28 a without being shielded by the excitation lightcut filter 27 a. In the fluorescent mode, the amplification factor ofthe CCD 28 a and the lamp current increase.

Therefore, in the case of the scope 2B, which has the CCD forfluorescent observation 28 a, and the CCD for normal-light observation28 b, images with good quality can be obtained in the respective modescompared with the case of a CCD 28 and scope 2B sharing the respectivefunctions.

In the normal-light mode, for example, images can be captured without apart of the blue wavelength band being shielded by the excitation lightcut filter 27, and normal-light images with a good S/N can be obtained.In the fluorescent mode as well, the wavelength band of the excitationlight can be widened, so an excitation light with a higher energyintensity can be irradiated, and a fluorescent image with a good S/N canbe obtained by increasing the intensity of fluorescence to be generatedby the excitation light.

Also according to the present embodiment, the second filter 152 b can beselected to obtain information on a deeper area in the fluorescent mode.This selection can be executed by the scope switch 29, for example.

If this selection is made, the control circuit 37 rotates a motor 149for 90° so that the second filter 152 b, instead of the first filter 152a, is positioned on the optical path.

This second filter 152 b has the characteristic to cut the shorterwavelength side of blue, as shown in FIG. 29A, compared with thetransmission characteristic of the first filter 152 a (shown in FIG.28C).

Therefore FIG. 31 shows the case when skin is observed in thefluorescent mode of this selection. In this case, most of the excitationlight reaches the deep area of the tissue, so the influence ofself-fluorescence by porphyrin can be decreased by increasing theintensity of the fluorescence from the deep area side, eliminating theexcitation light around 400 nm, which is the excitation wavelength ofporphyrin.

Instead of the excitation light cut filter 27 a with the characteristicshown in FIG. 28D, an excitation light cut filter 27 a′ with thecharacteristic shown in FIG. 32A may be used. This excitation light cutfilter 27 a′ is set so as to transmit 490 to 620 nm. (Therefore, redlight at a 620 nm or 630 nm or more wavelength is not transmitted.) Inthis way, the excitation light cut filter 27 a′ is set such that thefluorescent band of porphyrin, that is, a part of red, is shielded.

FIG. 32B shows a case when skin is observed using the excitation lightcut filter 27 a′. In this case, the component of self-fluorescence byporphyrin can be decreased even more.

In the present embodiment, the scope 2A described for the firstembodiment can be connected and used.

When this scope 2A is used, the motor for moving 20 is driven by thecontrol of the control circuit 37 in the normal-light mode, and the RGBfilter 21 at the inner circle side is positioned on the optical path inthe switching filter section 14′.

In the switching filter 150, the first filter 152 a is positioned on theillumination light path. And RGB is irradiated from the tip of the scope2A. In this case, the excitation light cut filter 27 is in front of theCCD 28 of the scope 2A, so a part of the wavelength of the B light isshielded, and the reflected lights of the B light, the R light and the Glight, which are limited to 460 nm to 500 nm, are captured by the CCD28.

Therefore, when an image of a white subject is captured in this case,the light intensity to be received by the CCD 28 is as shown in FIG.33A.

In this case, the control circuit 37 activates the electronic shutterfunctions when B light is illuminated, as described for the firstembodiment.

When the fluorescent mode is selected, the switching filter 17″ is movedby the motor for moving 20, and the filter for fluorescent observation151 is positioned on the optical path. The third filter 152 c ispositioned on the optical path in the switching filter 150.

FIG. 33B shows the characteristic of the light intensity received by theCCD 28 when the skin is observed in this fluorescent mode. Theexcitation light at 400 to 440 nm from E3, G3 and R3, are irradiatedfrom the tip of the scope 2A. Since the excitation cut filter 27 is infront of the CCD 28, the excitation light at 400 to 440 nm is completelyshielded, and fluorescence excited by the excitation light at 400 to 440nm and the reflected light of the R light and G light are captured bythe CCD 28.

FIG. 34A shows a display example of images on the monitor 5.

In the patient information display area 5 b at the left side of theendoscope image display area 5 a of the monitor 5 as shown in FIG. 34A,for example, the ID, name and other information of a patient aredisplayed, and below this patient information display area 5 b, the modedisplay area 5 c for displaying the observation mode (simply called“mode” in FIG. 34A) is provided.

In the mode display area 5 c, the normal-light mode (white light mode)or the fluorescent mode is displayed as shown in detail in FIG. 34B, andin the fluorescent mode, brightness priority mode and depth informationpriority mode are displayed.

The model of the connected scope may also be displayed.

The present embodiment having such a configuration and functions has thefollowing effects.

The present embodiment can be used with the scope 2A described in thefirst embodiment, and also with the scope 2B, which houses an imagepickup device for normal-light observation and an image pickup devicefor fluorescent observation respectively.

When the scope 2A described in the first embodiment is connected, thefollowing effect is exhibited.

In the case of the electronic endoscope 2A, both a normal-light imageand a fluorescent image can be displayed by installing one image pickupdevice at the tip 8 of the insertion section 7.

Therefore, compared with the case of housing a plurality of image pickupdevices, the diameter of the insertion section of the electronicendoscope 2A can be decreased, the application range where the endoscopecan be inserted and used can be increased, and the pain caused to apatient at insertion can be decreased. And an operator can insert theendoscope into a body cavity easily. Also cost can be decreased sinceonly one image pickup device is used.

Since blue in the wavelength band (region) of visible light is used forthe excitation light, a halogen lamp or a Xenon lamp, which can be usedfor normal-light illumination (white illumination), can be used for thelamp 12 of the light source unit 3A. Also compared with the case whenultra-violet is used for the excitation light, transmission loss due tothe light guide fiber 9 can be decreased, and a component fornormal-light information can be used, which are merits.

Also when the excitation light is irradiated onto a human body, theexcitation light can be irradiated only on the surface of the body ifultra-violet is used, but in the case of blue light, the excitationlight can be irradiated onto tissue at a deeper area.

When the scope 2B, where two image pickup devices for normal-lightobservation and fluorescent observation are housed, is connected, anormal-light image and a fluorescent image with better S/N can beobtained.

In FIG. 26, the scopes 2A and 2B have the scope ID circuits 41 a and 41b for generating a unique ID (identification information), including themodel thereof respectively. The model information may be simply input tothe processor 4C.

Also in FIG. 26, the case of two types of scopes 2A and 2B was describedfor simplification, but the present embodiment can also be applied tothe case when the scope ID circuit 41 is not installed in one scope,scope 2A for example. In other words, in this case, the scope ID is notgenerated when the scope 2A is connected to the processor 4C, so thecontrol circuit 37 judges that the model of the scope 2A is connected bythe output of the model detection circuit 42, and executes controloperation accordingly.

FIG. 35 shows the configuration of the endoscope system 1E according tothe first variant form of FIG. 26. The endoscope system 1E is comprisedof the scope 2D, light source unit 3D, processor 4D, and monitor 5.

The scope 2D is the scope 2B in FIG. 26, wherein the scope switch 29,the scope ID circuit 41 b and the selector switch 64 do not exist. Inother words, this scope houses the CCD for fluorescent observation CCD28 a and the CCD for normal-light observation 28 b.

The light source unit 3D is the light source unit 3A in FIG. 1, whereinthe light source aperture 13 does not exist, and a switching filter 143is installed at the position of the light source aperture 13.

The rotation position of the switching filter 143 is controlled by amotor 144, and the rotary filter 17, which is rotated by the motor forrotation 16, is installed in front of the switching filter 143.

In the switching filter 143, a first filter 143 a and a second filter143 b are installed at two locations in the circumferential direction,as shown in FIG. 36A. The first filter 143 a is made of glass, forexample, and transmits all the visible light from the blue band to thered band, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 36B.

The second filter 143 b is a band limiting filter where an interferencefilm is deposited on such a substrate as BK7 and quartz, for example,and as shown by the solid line in FIG. 36B, the second filter 143 b hasa transmission characteristic to shield 450 nm to 510 nm of light. Inother words, the second filter 143 b is comprised of the filtercharacteristic part which transmits the shorter wavelength side of blue,which is used as the excitation light (the excitation light transmittedthrough this filter part is denoted as E2), and a part which transmitsgreen and red.

The processor 4D essentially drives the two CCDs 28 a and 28 brespectively, and processes signals using respective dedicatedprocessing circuits for each output signal to create the fluorescentimages and the normal-light images.

Concretely, the CCD 28 a is driven by the CCD drive circuit 31 a, andthe output signal of the CCD 28 a is processed by the processing circuitfor fluorescent images.

In other words, the output signal of the CCD 28 a is amplified by thepreamplifier 32 a, and is further amplified up to a predetermined levelby an AGC circuit 33 a.

The output signal is converted into a digital signal by an A/Dconversion circuit 34 a, and is temporarily stored in a frame memory 35a, which is controlled by the timing control circuit 37.

The image data stored in this frame memory 35 a is read under thecontrol of the control circuit 37, and is input to an image processingcircuit 38 a.

The CCD 28 b is driven by the CCD drive circuit 31 b, and the outputsignal of the CCD 28 b is processed by the processing circuit fornormal-light images.

In other words, the output signal of the CCD 28 b is amplified by thepreamplifier 32 b, and is further amplified to a predetermined level bythe AGC circuit 33 b.

The output signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/Dconversion circuit 34 b, and is temporarily stored in the frame memory35 b, which is controlled by the timing control circuit 37.

The image data stored in this frame memory 35 b is read under thecontrol of the timing control circuit 37, and is input to the imageprocessing circuit 38 b.

The image data for which such processing as contour highlighting isexecuted by the image processing circuits 38 a and 38 b is input to asuperimpose circuit 161, and if necessary, both signals can besuperimposed. The output signal of the superimpose circuit 161 isconverted into an analog RGB signal by the D/A conversion circuit 39,and is output to the monitor 5.

The processor 4D has a mode switch 162, so that images in fluorescentmode and in normal-light mode can be obtained by operating this modeswitch 162.

A mode to observe a subject by sequentially switching the fluorescentmode and the normal-light mode is also available, and in this case, bothsignals can be superimposed by the superimpose circuit 161 so that afluorescent image and a normal-light image can be simultaneouslydisplayed next to each other on the monitor 5.

In this first variant form, if this endoscope system is used innormal-light mode, for example, the RGB filter 21 of the rotary filter(switching filter) 17 is positioned on the illumination light path, andin the switching filter 143, the first filter 143 a is positioned on theillumination light path, and is used.

In the fluorescent mode, the filter for fluorescent observation 22 ofthe switching filter 17 is positioned on the illumination light path,and in the switching filter 143, the second filter 143 b is positionedon the illumination light path, and is used.

In FIG. 35, the D/A conversion circuit 39 is shared by the fluorescentimage processing circuit and by the normal-light image processingcircuit, but the dedicated D/A conversion circuit 39 may be usedrespectively.

As described in the fifth embodiment, this first variant form allowsobtaining fluorescent images and normal-light images with good S/N whenthe scope 2D, where the CCD for fluorescent observation 28 a and the CCDfor normal-light observation 28 b are housed and used.

FIG. 37 shows a configuration of the endoscope system 1F according tothe second variant form of FIG. 26. This endoscope system 1F iscomprised of the scope 2E, light source unit 3E, processor 4E, andmonitor 5.

The scope 2E is the scope 2D in FIG. 35, wherein the color CCD28 c,which has a color filter for optically separating colors, such as amosaic filter 163, is used instead of the CCD 28 b.

The light source unit 3E is the light source unit 3D in FIG. 35, whereinthe switching filter 17″ in FIG. 26 is used instead of the switchingfilter 17, and the light source aperture 13 is also installed.

The processor 4E is the processor 4D in FIG. 35, wherein a colorseparation circuit 164 for executing color separation on the outputsignals of the AGC circuit 33 b is installed, and the Y/C componentsignal of the luminance signal Y and the color signal C, separated bythe color separation circuit 164, is converted into a digital signal bythe A/D conversion circuit 34 b, and is stored in a memory 35 b′. Theoutput signal of this memory 35 b′ is input to the image processingcircuit 38 b.

The output signals of the preamplifiers 32 a and 32 b are input to alight adjustment circuit 165, and are compared with an appropriate levelby the modulation circuit 165 so that the amount of opening of the lightsource aperture 13 is adjusted by this comparison output for lightadjustment.

In this second variant form, when the endoscope system is used in thenormal-light mode, the RGB filter 21 of the switching filter 17 iswithdrawn from the illumination light path, and the switching filter 143is used with the first filter 143 a which is positioned on theillumination light path.

The CCD drive circuit 31 b applies the CCD drive signal on the color CCD28 c, reads the stored signal charge, converts the signal into a digitalsignal by the A/D conversion circuit 34 b, executes color separation bythe color separation circuit 164, then separates the signal into theluminance signal Y and the color signal C, and temporarily stores thesignal in the memory 35 b′.

The signal read from the memory 35 b′ is input to the image processingcircuit 38 b, where conversion into an RGB signal and contourhighlighting are executed using the internal matrix circuit, is input tothe D/A conversion circuit 39 after passing through the superimposecircuit 161, is converted into an analog RGB signal, and is output tothe monitor 5.

In the fluorescent mode, the filter for fluorescent observation 22 ofthe switching filter 17 is positioned on the illumination light path,and in the switching filter 143, the second filter 143 b is positionedon the illumination light path, and is used in the same way as the firstvariant form.

According to the second variant form, fluorescent images andnormal-light images can be obtained using the scope 2E, which houses theimage pickup device for monochrome image capturing and the image pickupdevice for color image capturing.

Different embodiments can be implemented by partially combining theabove mentioned embodiments, which belong to the present invention.

For example, the endoscope system 1D in FIG. 26 may be used with adifferent scope. For example, a scope dedicated to normal-lightobservation 2 c, which is the scope 2A wherein the excitation light cutfilter 27 does not exist, may be connected, and in the case of thisscope 2C, the control circuit 37 may execute a control operation similarto the normal-light mode by the CCD 28 b of the scope 2B.

In the endoscope system 1A in FIG. 1, the scope 2A and the scope IDcircuit (or model information generation circuit) at the 2C side may beinstalled, and the model detection circuit for judging (detecting) themodel from the information of the scope ID circuit (or model informationgeneration circuit) may be installed at the processor 4A side, so thatthe control circuit 37 executes control operation according to theconnected scope 2A or 2C.

The embodiments, where the above embodiments are partially combined,also belong to the present invention.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention above byreferring to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to these precise embodiments, and thatvarious changes and modification thereof could be made by one skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined in the appended Claims.

1. An endoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologically affectedtissues, comprising: a light source configured to sequentially generatefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light forilluminating normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues;an image capturing device configured to capture the first, second, andfluorescent images of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; animage processor configured to process the first, second, and fluorescentimages captured by the image capturing device to produce a processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; the imageprocessor including an axial conversion unit operable to convert thefirst, second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues into three respective color component signals so thatat least one of luminance and hue of the normal tissue isdistinguishable from at least one of luminance and hue of thepathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue lies within a predetermined range of hue;wherein the axial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert imagedata to obtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram; and a display unit configured todisplay the processed image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spacial coordinatesystem.
 2. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein one of the first andsecond wavelengths of illumination light includes an absorptionwavelength band of hemoglobin, and the other of the first and secondwavelengths of illumination light includes a non-absorption wavelengthband of hemoglobin.
 3. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second wavelengths of illumination light include wavelengthsof 550 nm and 600 nm, respectively.
 4. The endoscope system of claim 3,wherein a bandwidth of at least one of the first and second wavelengthsof illumination light is less than or equal to 20 nm.
 5. The endoscopesystem of claim 1, wherein the three respective color component signalsare RGB signals.
 6. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the axialconversion unit of the image processor includes an arithmetic unithaving at least one of a matrix circuit, a lookup table, and a CPU. 7.The endoscope system of claim 1, further comprising a switching unitoperable to change a plurality of parameters of the axial conversionunit in accordance with an area to be observed.
 8. The endoscope systemof claim 7, wherein the switching unit is a switch installed on at leastone of an endoscope and the image processor.
 9. The endoscope system ofclaim 7, further comprising an identification unit operable to identifya model of an endoscope and to automatically set the parameters of theaxial conversion unit in accordance with a purpose of inspection. 10.The endoscope system of claim 7, further comprising an input unitoperable to permit the parameters of the axial conversion unit to beinputted.
 11. The endoscope system of claim 10, wherein the input unitincludes a keyboard.
 12. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein theimage processor further includes a range expansion unit operable toexpand a range of a luminance level of the fluorescent image.
 13. Theendoscope system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operable toset the three respective color component signals to a same value if abrightness of at least one of the first and the second reflected imagesis greater than or equal to a threshold brightness value.
 14. Theendoscope system of claim 13, wherein the image processor includes acomparator for comparing the brightness of at least one of the first andthe second reflected images to the threshold brightness value.
 15. Theendoscope system of claim 1, further comprising a unit for specifying anoperating range of the three respective color component signals.
 16. Anendoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologically affectedtissues, comprising: a light source configured to sequentially generatefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues;an endoscope coupled to the light source, the endoscope including: alight guide unit for guiding the first, second, and third wavelengths ofillumination light for illuminating the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, and an image capturing device configured to capturethe first, second, and fluorescent images of the normal andpathologically affected tissues; and an image processor coupled to theendoscope and configured to process the first, second, and fluorescentimages captured by the image capturing device to produce a processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; the imageprocessor including an axial conversion unit operable to convert thefirst, second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues into three respective color component signals so thatat least one of luminance and hue of the normal tissue isdistinguishable from at least one of luminance and hue of thepathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue lies within a predetermined range of hue;wherein the axial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert imagedata to obtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram, such that normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues in the processed image are easily distinguished whenintensities of the first, second, and fluorescent images are plotted ona spacial coordinate system.
 17. An endoscope system for analyzingnormal and pathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light sourceis configured to operate in at least two modes, the light sourceoperable to sequentially generate first, second, and third wavelengthsof illumination light in a first mode of operation for illuminating thenormal and pathologically affected tissues, the third wavelength ofillumination light being an excitation wavelength for excitingfluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissues toproduce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues,the light source being operable to sequentially generate red, green, andblue wavelengths of illumination light in a second operating mode forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the red,green, and blue wavelengths of illumination light reflecting off thenormal and pathologically affected tissues to respectively producethird, fourth, and fifth reflected images of the tissues; at least oneimage capturing device configured to capture the first, second, andfluorescent images of the normal and pathologically affected tissues inthe first operating mode, and configured to capture the third, fourth,and fifth reflected images of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues in the second operating mode; an image processor configured toprocess the first, second, and fluorescent images captured by the imagecapturing device in the first operating mode to produce a processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the imageprocessor including an axial conversion unit operable to convert thefirst, second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues into three respective color component signals so thatat least one of luminance and hue of the normal tissue isdistinguishable from at least one of luminance and hue of thepathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue lies within a predetermined range of hue,the image processor being further configured to produce a non-processedimage in the second operating mode by outputting the third, fourth, andfifth reflected images; wherein the axial conversion unit is structuredto matrix-convert image data to obtain a two dimensional chromaticitydiagram that enables rapid discerning of pathologically affected tissueby mere placement of image data on the chromaticity diagram; and adisplay unit configured to display the processed image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues in the first operating mode and todisplay the non-processed image of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues in the second operating mode, such that normal andpathologically affected tissues in the processed image are easilydistinguished in the first operating mode when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spacial coordinatesystem.
 18. The endoscope system of claim 17, wherein one of the firstand second wavelengths of illumination light includes an absorptionwavelength band of hemoglobin, and the other of the first and secondwavelengths of illumination light includes a non-absorption wavelengthband of hemoglobin.
 19. The endoscope system of claim 17, wherein thefirst and second wavelengths of illumination light include wavelengthsof 550 nm and 600 nm, respectively.
 20. The endoscope system of claim19, wherein a bandwidth of at least one of the first and secondwavelengths of illumination light is less than or equal to 20 nm. 21.The endoscope system of claim 17, wherein the three respective colorcomponent signals are RGB signals.
 22. The endoscope system of claim 17,wherein the axial conversion unit of the image processor includes anarithmetic unit having at least one of a matrix circuit, a lookup table,and a CPU.
 23. The endoscope system of claim 17, further comprising aswitching unit operable to change a plurality of parameters of the axialconversion unit in accordance with an area to be observed.
 24. Theendoscope system of claim 23, wherein the switching unit is a switchinstalled on at least one of an endoscope and the image processor. 25.The endoscope system of claim 23, further comprising an identificationunit operable to identify a model of an endoscope and to automaticallyset the parameters of the axial conversion unit in accordance with apurpose of inspection.
 26. The endoscope system of claim 23, furthercomprising an input unit operable to permit the parameters of the axialconversion unit to be inputted.
 27. The endoscope system of claim 26,wherein the input unit includes a keyboard.
 28. The endoscope system ofclaim 17, wherein the image processor further includes a range expansionunit operable to expand a range of a luminance level of the fluorescentimage.
 29. The endoscope system of claim 17, wherein the image processoris operable to set the three respective color component signals to asame value if a brightness of at least one of the first and the secondreflected images is greater than or equal to a threshold brightnessvalue.
 30. The endoscope system of claim 29, wherein the image processorincludes a comparator for comparing the brightness of at least one ofthe first and the second reflected images to the threshold brightnessvalue.
 31. An endoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, comprising: a light source is configured to operate inat least two modes, the light source operable to sequentially generatefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light in a firstmode of operation for illuminating the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, the third wavelength of illumination light being anexcitation wavelength for exciting fluorescence in the normal andpathologically affected tissues to produce a fluorescent image of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues, the first and secondwavelengths of illumination light reflecting off the normal andpathologically affected tissues to respectively produce first and secondreflected images of the tissues, the light source being operable tosequentially generate red, green, and blue wavelengths of illuminationlight in a second operating mode for illuminating the normal andpathologically affected tissues, the red, green, and blue wavelengths ofillumination light reflecting off the normal and pathologically affectedtissues to respectively produce third, fourth, and fifth reflectedimages of the tissues; at least one image capturing device configured tocapture the first, second, and fluorescent images of the normal andpathologically affected tissues in the first operating mode, andconfigured to capture the third, fourth, and fifth reflected images ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues in the second operatingmode; and an image processor configured to process the first, second,and fluorescent images captured by the image capturing device in thefirst operating mode to produce a processed image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues, the image processor including an axialconversion unit operable to convert the first, second, and fluorescentimages of the normal and pathologically affected tissues into threerespective color component signals so that at least one of luminance andhue of the normal tissue is distinguishable from at least one ofluminance and hue of the pathologically affected tissue, and so that thehue of the pathologically affected tissue lies within a predeterminedrange of hue, the image processor being further configured to produce anon-processed image in the second operating mode by outputting thethird, fourth, and fifth reflected images; wherein the axial conversionunit is structured to matrix-convert image data to obtain a twodimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning ofpathologically affected tissue by mere placement of image data on thechromaticity diagram, such that normal and pathologically affectedtissues in the processed image are easily distinguished in the firstoperating mode when intensities of the first, second, and fluorescentimages are plotted on a spacial coordinate system.
 32. An imageprocessor of an endoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, the image processor comprising: a light sourceconfigured to operate in at least two modes, the light source operableto generate at least an excitation wavelength for exciting fluorescencein the normal and pathologically affected tissues to produce afluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affected tissues in afirst operating mode, the light source being operable to sequentiallygenerate red, green, and blue wavelengths of illumination light in asecond operating mode for illuminating the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, the red, green, and blue wavelengths of illuminationlight reflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first, second, and third reflected images of thetissues; at least one image capturing device configured to capture thefluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affected tissues inthe first operating mode, and configured to capture the first, second,and third reflected images of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues in the second operating mode; an image generation unit operableto process the fluorescent image of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues in the first operating mode and operable to process thefirst, second, and third reflected images of the tissues in the secondoperating mode to produce processed images of the normal andpathologically affected tissues; a display unit configured to displaythe processed images of the normal and pathologically affected tissues;a receiving unit operable to receive the fluorescent image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues; and an axial conversion unitoperable to axially convert the fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues received by the receiving unit intothree color component signals in the first operating mode, wherein theaxial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data toobtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram.
 33. The image processor of claim 32,wherein the three color component signals are RGB color componentsignals.
 34. The image processor of claim 32, wherein the axialconversion unit includes an arithmetic unit having at least one of amatrix circuit, a look-up table, and a CPU.
 35. The image processor ofclaim 32, further comprising a switching unit operable to change aplurality of parameters of the axial conversion unit in accordance withan area to be observed and an observation mode.
 36. The image processorof claim 35, further comprising an input unit operable to permit a userto input the plurality of parameters of the axial conversion unit. 37.The image processor of claim 35, wherein the input unit includes akeyboard.
 38. The image processor of claim 35, further comprising adisplay unit having a monitor, and configured to display informationrelating to the plurality of parameters of the axial conversion unit.39. The image processor of claim 32, wherein the axial conversion unitincludes a unit for specifying an operating range of the three colorcomponent signals.
 40. An image processor of an endoscope system foranalyzing normal and pathologically affected tissues, the imageprocessor comprising: a light source configured to operate in at leasttwo modes, the light source operable to generate at least an excitationwavelength for exciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues to produce a fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues in a first operating mode, the lightsource being operable to sequentially generate red, green, and bluewavelengths of illumination light in a second operating mode forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the red,green, and blue wavelengths of illumination light reflecting off thenormal and pathologically affected tissues to respectively producefirst, second, and third reflected images of the tissues; at least oneimage capturing device configured to capture the fluorescent image ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues in the first operatingmode, and configured to capture the first, second, and third reflectedimages of the normal and pathologically affected tissues in the secondoperating mode; an image generation unit operable to process thefluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affected tissues inthe first operating mode and operable to process the first, second, andthird reflected images of the tissues in the second operating mode toproduced processed images of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues; a receiving unit operable to receive the fluorescent image ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues; and an axial conversionunit operable to axially convert the fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues received by the input unit into threecolor component signals in the first operating mode, wherein the axialconversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data to obtain atwo dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning ofpathologically affected tissue by mere placement of image data on thechromaticity diagram.
 41. An endoscope system, comprising: a lightsource configured to generate first, second, and third wavelengths ofillumination light for illuminating the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, the third wavelength of illumination light being anexcitation wavelength for exciting fluorescence in the normal andpathologically affected tissues to produce a fluorescent image of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues, the first and secondwavelengths of illumination light reflecting off the normal andpathologically affected tissues to respectively produce first and secondreflected images of the tissues; a light guide for guiding the first,second, and third wavelengths of illumination light; an image capturingdevice configured to capture the first, second, and fluorescent imagesof the normal and pathologically affected tissues; an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues; the image processor including anaxial conversion unit operable to convert the first, second, andfluorescent images of the normal and pathologically affected tissuesinto three respective color component signals so that a hue of thenormal tissue differs from a hue of the pathologically affected tissue,and so that the hue of the pathologically affected tissue approximates aspecific hue; wherein the axial conversion unit is structured tomatrix-convert image data to obtain a two dimensional chromaticitydiagram that enables rapid discerning of pathologically affected tissueby mere placement of image data on the chromaticity diagram; and adisplay unit configured to display the processed image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues, such that normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues in the processed image are easily distinguished whenintensities of the first, second, and fluorescent images are plotted ona spatial coordinate system.
 42. The endoscope system of claim 41,wherein one of the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightincludes an absorption wavelength band of hemoglobin, and the other ofthe first and second wavelengths of illumination light includes anon-absorption wavelength band of hemoglobin.
 43. The endoscope systemof claim 41, wherein the first and second wavelengths of illuminationlight include wavelengths of 550 nm and 600 nm, respectively.
 44. Theendoscope system of claim 43, wherein a bandwidth of the first andsecond wavelengths of illumination light are less than or equal to 20nm.
 45. The endoscope system of claim 43, wherein the third wavelengthof illumination light is a wavelength of green light, one of the firstand second wavelengths of illumination light being a wavelength of redlight, and the other one of the first and second wavelengths ofillumination light being a wavelength of either blue or red light. 46.An endoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologically affectedtissues, comprising: a light source configured to sequentially generatefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues;an endoscope coupled to the light source, the endoscope including: alight guide unit for guiding the first, second, and third wavelengths ofillumination light for illuminating the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, and an image capturing device configured to capturethe first, second, and fluorescent images of the normal andpathologically affected tissues; and an image processor coupled to theendoscope and configured to process the first, second, and fluorescentimages captured by the image capturing device to produce a processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; the imageprocessor including an axial conversion unit operable to convert thefirst, second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues into three respective color component signals so that ahue of the normal tissue differs from a hue of the pathologicallyaffected tissue, and so that the hue of the pathologically affectedtissue approximates a specific hue; wherein the axial conversion unit isstructured to matrix-convert image data to obtain a two dimensionalchromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning of pathologicallyaffected tissue by mere placement of image data on the chromaticitydiagram, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinatesystem.
 47. An endoscope system for analyzing normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues, comprising: a light source configured to sequentiallygenerate first, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues;an image capturing device configured to capture the first, second, andfluorescent images of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; animage processor configured to process the first, second, and fluorescentimages captured by the image capturing device to produce a processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; the imageprocessor including an axial conversion unit operable to convert thefirst, second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues into three respective color component signals so thatthe fluorescence image of the pathologically affected tissue extendsover a plurality of hues; wherein the axial conversion unit isstructured to matrix-convert image data to obtain a two dimensionalchromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning of pathologicallyaffected tissue by mere placement of image data on the chromaticitydiagram; and a display unit configured to display the processed image ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues, such that normal andpathologically affected tissues in the processed image are easilydistinguished when intensities of the first, second, and fluorescentimages are plotted on a spatial coordinate system.
 48. An endoscopesystem for analyzing normal and pathologically affected tissues,comprising: a light source including first, second, and third bandfilters configured to pass first, second, and third wavelengths ofillumination light, respectively, for illuminating the normal andpathologically affected tissues, the third wavelength of illuminationlight being an excitation wavelength for exciting fluorescence in thenormal and pathologically affected tissues to produce a fluorescentimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the first andsecond wavelengths of illumination light reflecting off the normal andpathologically affected tissues to respectively produce first and secondreflected images of the tissues, the first, second, and third bandfilters being switchable so that the first, second, and thirdwavelengths of illumination light are passed sequentially; an imagecapturing device including a fluorescence detection filter operable toshield the third wavelength of illumination light and to pass the first,second, and fluorescent images of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues; an image processor configured to process the first, second, andfluorescent images captured by the image capturing device to produce aprocessed image of the normal and pathologically affected tissues; anaxial conversion unit operable to axially convert the fluorescent imageof the normal and pathologically affected tissues received by thereceiving unit into three color component signals in the first operatingmode, wherein the axial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convertimage data to obtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enablesrapid discerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement ofimage data on the chromaticity diagram; and a display unit configured todisplay the processed image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinatesystem.
 49. The endoscope system of claim 48, wherein one of the firstand second band filters has a passband which includes an absorptionwavelength band of hemoglobin, and the other of the first and secondband filters has a passband which includes a non-absorption wavelengthband of hemoglobin.
 50. An endoscope system for analyzing normal andpathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light source includingfirst, second, and third band filters configured to pass first, second,and third wavelengths of illumination light, respectively, forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues,the first, second, and third band filters being switchable so that thefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light are passedsequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; and an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues, such that normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues in the processed image are easily distinguished whenintensities of the first, second, and fluorescent images are plotted ona spatial coordinate system; and an axial conversion unit operable toaxially convert the fluorescent image of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues received by the receiving unit into three colorcomponent signals in the first operating mode, wherein the axialconversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data to obtain atwo dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning ofpathologically affected tissue by mere placement of image data on thechromaticity diagram.
 51. An endoscope system for analyzing normal andpathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light source includingfirst, second, and third band filters configured to pass first, second,and third wavelengths of illumination light, respectively, forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues,the first, second, and third band filters being switchable so that thefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light are passedsequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues; an axial conversion unit operableto axially convert the fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues received by the receiving unit intothree color component signals in the first operating mode, wherein theaxial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data toobtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram; and a display unit configured todisplay the processed image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinatesystem, wherein the fluorescent detection filter has a passband whichincludes a wavelength of 520 nm, and the first and second band filtershave passbands which include wavelengths of 550 nm and 600 nm,respectively.
 52. An endoscope system for analyzing normal andpathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light source includingfirst, second, and third band filters configured to pass first, second,and third wavelengths of illumination light, respectively, forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues,the first, second, and third band filters being switchable so that thefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light are passedsequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues; an axial conversion unit operableto axially convert the fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues received by the receiving unit intothree color component signals in the first operating mode, wherein theaxial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data toobtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram; and a display unit configured todisplay the processed image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinatesystem, wherein the bandwidth of each passband of the first and secondband filters is less than or equal to 20 nm.
 53. An endoscope system foranalyzing normal and pathologically affected tissues, comprising: alight source including first, second, and third band filters configuredto pass first, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light,respectively, for illuminating the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the third wavelength of illumination light being an excitationwavelength for exciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues to produce a fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues, the first and second wavelengths ofillumination light reflecting off the normal and pathologically affectedtissues to respectively produce first and second reflected images of thetissues, the first, second, and third band filters being switchable sothat the first, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light arepassed sequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues; an axial conversion unit operableto axially convert the fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues received by the receiving unit intothree color component signals in the first operating mode, wherein theaxial conversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data toobtain a two dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapiddiscerning of pathologically affected tissue by mere placement of imagedata on the chromaticity diagram; and a display unit configured todisplay the processed image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, such that normal and pathologically affected tissues in theprocessed image are easily distinguished when intensities of the first,second, and fluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinatesystem, wherein a passband of the fluorescence detection filter includesa wavelength of 520 nm and does not include wavelengths greater than orequal to 620 nm.
 54. An endoscope system for analyzing normal andpathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light source includingfirst, second, and third band filters configured to pass first, second,and third wavelengths of illumination light, respectively, forilluminating the normal and pathologically affected tissues, the thirdwavelength of illumination light being an excitation wavelength forexciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologically affected tissuesto produce a fluorescent image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the first and second wavelengths of illumination lightreflecting off the normal and pathologically affected tissues torespectively produce first and second reflected images of the tissues,the first, second, and third band filters being switchable so that thefirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light are passedsequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues to produce a processed image of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues, the image processor beingfurther operable to convert the first, second, and fluorescent images ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues into three respectivecolor component signals so that a hue of the normal tissue differs froma hue of the pathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue approximates a specific hue; wherein theimage processor is structured to matrix-convert image data to obtain atwo dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning ofpathologically affected tissue by mere placement of image data on thechromaticity diagram; and a display unit for displaying the processedimage of the normal and pathologically affected tissues, such thatnormal and pathologically affected tissues in the processed image areeasily distinguished when intensities of the first, second, andfluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinate system.
 55. Theendoscope system of claim 54, wherein the color component signal of thefluorescent image is allocated to a green channel, the color componentsignal of one of the first and second reflected images being allocatedto a red channel, the other of the first and second reflected imagesbeing allocated to a blue channel.
 56. An endoscope system for analyzingnormal and pathologically affected tissues, comprising: a light sourceincluding first, second, and third band filters configured to passfirst, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light,respectively, for illuminating the normal and pathologically affectedtissues, the third wavelength of illumination light being an excitationwavelength for exciting fluorescence in the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues to produce a fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissues, the first and second wavelengths ofillumination light reflecting off the normal and pathologically affectedtissues to respectively produce first and second reflected images of thetissues, the first, second, and third band filters being switchable sothat the first, second, and third wavelengths of illumination light arepassed sequentially; an image capturing device including a fluorescencedetection filter operable to shield the third wavelength of illuminationlight and to pass the first, second, and fluorescent images of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues; and an image processorconfigured to process the first, second, and fluorescent images capturedby the image capturing device to produce a processed image of the normaland pathologically affected tissues to produce a processed image of thenormal and pathologically affected tissues, the image processor beingfurther operable to convert the first, second, and fluorescent images ofthe normal and pathologically affected tissues into three respectivecolor component signals so that a hue of the normal tissue differs froma hue of the pathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue approximates a specific hue, the imageprocessor being further operable to transmit the processed image to adisplay unit; wherein the image processor is structured tomatrix-convert image data to obtain a two dimensional chromaticitydiagram that enables rapid discerning of pathologically affected tissueby mere placement of image data on the chromaticity diagram, such thatnormal and pathologically affected tissues in the processed image areeasily distinguished when intensities of the first, second, andfluorescent images are plotted on a spatial coordinate system.
 57. Animage signal processor for processing reflected images of normal andpathologically affected tissue captured by an image capturing device toproduce an observation image for display on a display unit, one of thereflected images being a fluorescent image of the normal andpathologically affected tissue and the other one of the reflected imagesbeing a reflected light image of the normal and pathologically affectedtissue, the image signal processor comprising: an operating unit forprocessing the reflected images to produce the observation image fordisplay on the display unit, the operating unit processing the reflectedimages so that at least one of a luminance and a hue of the normaltissue differs from at least one of a luminance and a hue of thepathologically affected tissue, and so that the hue of thepathologically affected tissue lies within a predetermined range of huein the observation image; and an axial conversion unit operable toaxially convert the fluorescent image of the normal and pathologicallyaffected tissues received by the receiving unit into three colorcomponent signals in the first operating mode, wherein the axialconversion unit is structured to matrix-convert image data to obtain atwo dimensional chromaticity diagram that enables rapid discerning ofpathologically affected tissue by mere placement of image data on thechromaticity diagram.
 58. The image signal processor of claim 57,wherein the image signal processor is operable to process the reflectedimages so that the observation image is displayed on the display unit inpseudo-colors, and is operable to display the observation image on thedisplay unit so that the hue of the pathologically affected tissue isapproximately a single hue.
 59. The image signal processor of claim 58,wherein the image signal processor is operable to display theobservation image on the display unit so that the hue of the normaltissue is approximately a single hue.